Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - July 20, 2001 - An Extremely Important Meeting with Bijan Namdar Zanganeh and Complaints About Pressure from Political Factions

An extremely important meeting with Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, where he expressed his grievances about pressures from both right and left factions, and reported on the activities of the Ministry of Energy during Habibollah Bitaraf's tenure in support of the reformists. He also complained about the statements of Sheikh Ahmad Jannati to the special court for clerics regarding oil contracts (though Jannati later reportedly apologized for these statements in a letter to Seyyed Mohammad Khatami). Additionally, he mentioned sending a report about the financial misconduct of Seyyed Ziaoddin Miramadi, the former public prosecutor of Tehran, to the Ministry of Intelligence, which later resulted in his arrest by the special court for clerics.

Formation of the Infrastructure Commission of the Expediency Discernment Council.

Meeting with Brigadier General Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, then-commander of the police, who reported on activities related to narcotics and the successes of Police 110.

Meeting with Qara'i from the citizens of Torbat Heydarieh, who criticized the reformists.

Full Text of the Daily Entry:

Mr. [Bijan Namdar] Zanganeh, the Minister of Oil, came in. He is upset about the pressure he is receiving from extremists on both the left and the right. He said that if he had not taken any positive actions and merely echoed the slogan “They won’t let us work,” there wouldn’t be such attacks against him, and he expressed doubt about whether it is prudent for him to continue working. He mentioned the weaknesses of the Ministry of Energy, stating that they have brought the water and electricity situation to this point, and he noted that the members of the Participation Front, who consider [Habibollah Bitaraf] as one of their own, are not attacking him. He has filed a complaint against Mr. [Ahmad] Jannati, [the Secretary of the Guardian Council], for making accusations about receiving commissions from oil contracts to the special court for clerics, and if Mr. Jannati remedies his statements, he will withdraw the complaint. He has submitted the case of [financial misconduct] involving Mr. [Ziaoddin] Miramadi, [the former prosecutor of Tehran], to the Ministry of Intelligence, as reports against him have surfaced.

The Infrastructure Commission [of the Expediency Discernment Council] held a meeting. The general policies for assessing the industry were discussed. Mr. Jannati insisted that we should suspend the Council’s activities next week since the Parliament is in recess; the Guardian Council also wants to be inactive, and they have issues related to their investigations and inquiries.

In the evening, Brigadier General [Mohammad Baqer] Qalibaf, the police commander, came in. He provided a report on the success in reducing crime in Khorasan, with the help of Basij forces and unified command. He also mentioned the achievements of Police 110. I reminded him about the increase in thefts and the smuggling of goods. He proposed ineffective measures for combating narcotics.

Mr. Qara'i, a resident of Torbat Heydarieh, came in. He had strong criticisms of the Second of Khordad (reformists) and sought assistance for the Basij. Flooding in Meshkinshahr [in Ardabil Province] has caused significant damage, resulting in 54 deaths and missing persons. In Chaldoran [in West Azerbaijan], there have also been damages and casualties.

In Genoa [Italy], protests against the G8 summit continue, with hundreds injured and detained. Yesterday, one protester was killed. In Indonesia, Parliament has approved the impeachment of [Abdul Rahman] Wahid, [the President], for next Monday, and he has stated that he will not attend the session as it is illegal.