Memories of Akbar Hashemi - January 23, 2002 - Important Meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei and Discussion of the Noteworthy Letter from the Office for Strengthening Unity

Meeting with Ahmad Masjed Jame'i, the New Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, to Discuss the Ministry's Situation, Especially the Challenges During Attaollah Mohajerani's Tenure, and a Message from Ayatollah Mirza Javad Tabrizi Regarding a Sunni Publication Denying the Martyrdom of Hazrat Zahra (SA)

Resolution of the Legal Issues Surrounding Attaollah Mohajerani's Case, Which He Recently Denied the Basis of

Consultation with Morteza Alviri, the Mayor of Tehran, Regarding His Disagreements with the City Council

Interesting Requests from Mahdi Ghiyouran

Full Text of the Daily Notes:

Mr. Ahmad Masjed Jame'i, the new Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, visited. He discussed budget shortages and the conflicting expectations from various political factions in the country. He also mentioned the judiciary's action to suspend the magazine Kiyan and conveyed a message from Ayatollah Mirza Javad Tabrizi regarding a Sunni publication that denied the martyrdom of Hazrat Zahra (SA). He sought consultation on effective strategies to address the remaining issues from Mr. Attaollah Mohajerani's tenure, stating that President Khatami is expected to approve the expenses incurred to close the case.

Mr. Morteza Alviri, the Mayor of Tehran, visited. He expressed concerns about the inefficiency of the Islamic City Council, noting that most members are unfamiliar with executive matters. He mentioned internal issues within the council, particularly after the fallout with Mr. Abbas Dozdozani, the former council president, and the subsequent selection of Mr. Rahmatollah Khosravi, claiming that Dozdozani's actions were illegal as he had not resigned. He expressed deep concerns about the political, economic, and cultural conditions in the country, describing the government as ineffective, noting his participation in cabinet meetings, where he feels decisions are not being made on complex issues and there is a lack of coordination. He also attributed further complications to actions by the right-wing factions and the judiciary. He stated that many independent revolutionary forces, like himself, share his views and requested that I think of solutions to save the revolution from its current state.

In the afternoon, Mohsen provided a report on the examination and treatment of Fati's leg in Switzerland. Later, Mr. Mahdi Ghiyouran, a veteran revolutionary fighter, visited and proposed that he be given an order to facilitate the temporary release of many prisoners with bounced checks to help them and reach agreements with their creditors.

In the evening, I was a guest of the leadership. We discussed my response to the previous letters from the Freedom Movement for publication in the memoirs and the record of 1361 (after the crisis), which they welcomed and emphasized for publication. We also discussed the letter from the Office for Strengthening Unity, which is quite critical. The leadership does not consider it significant, but I believe it is important, as it undermines the authority of the leadership, although some members of the Office for Strengthening Unity have stated that it does not represent all of their views. Foreign media are giving significant attention to this matter. We discussed the elections and ongoing issues, noting that if the current situation continues, there are no solutions proposed by them.

They expressed opposition to the Majlis's decision regarding the potential privatization of prisons for terms up to five years, stating that it is unlikely the Guardian Council would accept it. We also discussed the sit-in by a group of students from the Office for Strengthening Unity in front of the Majlis, protesting against court rulings, as an action that could escalate tensions between factions. It was reported that a team from the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization, which recently shelled law enforcement and the Revolutionary Court, has been arrested in a confrontation with the Ministry of Intelligence, and their safe house has been discovered.