Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - 27 October 1999 (5 Aban 1378) Rouhani’s Request for Hashemi’s Assistance with the Guardian Council Hassan Rouhani sought assistance from Hashemi Rafsanjani, asking him to recommend to the Guardian Council not to apply strict m

Request from Sheikh Mohammad Ashrafi Esfahani to Settle Debts of His Father's Seminary to the Housing Bank

Sheikh Mohammad Ashrafi Esfahani, the head of the Ayatollah Ashrafi Esfahani Seminary, visited and expressed gratitude for my remarks in the Friday sermon regarding the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ataollah Ashrafi Esfahani. He requested assistance in settling the seminary's debts to the Housing Bank, which had accumulated due to interest and late fees. He also asked for help in publishing his father's handwritten works.

Meeting with Mr. Mazaaheri, Director of the Young Newspaper, and Request for an Interview

Mr. Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri, the editor-in-chief of Young Newspaper, visited. He expressed his respect and requested an interview. He also asked for my opinion on the newspaper’s work, to which I provided some feedback. He sought advice regarding running in the upcoming parliamentary elections (Sixth Parliament).

Internal and External Tensions in the Kargozaran Party

My brother, Mohammad, the head of the Central Council of the Kargozaran Party, visited. He mentioned that the party prefers to run with an independent list in the elections, unless the reformists agree to allocate one-third of the candidates to Kargozaran. He stated that initial polling indicates that Kargozaran is in a better position than other groups.

Comments and Analyses from the Leadership of the Assembly of Experts Regarding Hashemi's Participation in the Sixth Parliament

At noon, the presidium of the Assembly of Experts met in my office. We discussed member proposals from the Mashhad assembly and planned for the next session. Ayatollahs Meshkini, Amini, Taheri Khoramabadi, and Dori Najafabadi all strongly emphasized that my participation in the elections is necessary. They suggested that the situation of the revolution would be unclear if I did not participate.

Hassan Rouhani's Appeal for Help Regarding the Guardian Council's Oversight

In the evening, Dr. Hassan Rouhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, visited. He shared his observations from his recent trips to Malaysia and Japan and was impressed by their advancements. He sought advice on participating in the parliamentary elections. I recommended he participate and also advised him to run for the Assembly of Experts, filling the position of the late Saman's representative. I agreed to assist him with easing the Guardian Council’s scrutiny of him. We also discussed the need for him to be more active in Jame’eh Rowhaniyat Mobarez (Combatant Clergy Association) to guide new members. As for my own participation in the elections, no definitive decision was reached.

Sheikh Ahmad Jannati’s Request for Support from the Expediency Council

Later in the evening, Ahmad Jannati, the Secretary of the Guardian Council, visited. He sought assistance for the upcoming Saturday’s Expediency Council meeting regarding election oversight, asking for support to align with the Guardian Council’s position.

Concerns of Sheikh Mehdi Karroubi and Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Khoeiniha

Sheikh Mehdi Karroubi and Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Khoeiniha visited my home later that night. They expressed concern over the trial of Abdullah Nouri, the editor-in-chief of Khordad Newspaper, and sought assistance. They also voiced their worries about the pressure being placed on the media under the name of the Supreme Leader, fearing this could alienate the public from the system.

Report on Mohammad Khatami’s Visit to France

Today, President Seyed Mohammad Khatami traveled to France. His flight was delayed by two hours due to fog at the Paris airport, which shortened his meeting with Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. Louis Besson, the Minister of Housing, received him at the airport. Demonstrations against President Khatami were held by the opposition, including the Mujahedin, Jews, Communists, and the Green Party. The French government took measures, such as closing certain borders and arresting some Iranian nationals. The French Interior Minister expressed security concerns and declared an emergency state, disregarding the Schengen Agreement.

The reception from French President Jacques Chirac at Élysée Palace was lukewarm. Worse yet, UNESCO canceled President Khatami's scheduled speech without giving a proper explanation. Some speculated it was due to security concerns, while others claimed the speech had never been approved. Media reports indicated that human rights and the trial of 13 Jews were serious points of contention in Khatami’s discussions, with the U.S. claiming they had asked France to raise these issues.