Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - December 5, 2000 - Hashemi's Account of Ayatollah Sheikh Hossein Vahid Khorasani's Complaints and Criticism of the Reformist Government and Seyyed Mohammad Khatami

Meeting with Davood Abadiani and Report on the Hasty Merger of the Planning and Budget Organization and the Administrative and Employment Organization, Along with Quotes from Mohammad Bagherian’s Regret over the Merger, which Ultimately Reverted Back

Report from Mehdi Akbarzadeh Expressing Concern about the Fate of the Agricultural Pesticide Research Institute

Meeting with Abolfazl Toukalian Bina and Mohammad Reza Etemadian, Advisors to the President, Who Express Concern Over Seyyed Mohammad Khatami's Reelection and Criticism of Hashemi for His Public Condolences on Sheikh Abdullah Nouri's Mother's Death

Hashemi's Account of Ayatollah Sheikh Hossein Vahid Khorasani's Complaints and Criticism of the Reformist Government and Seyyed Mohammad Khatami

Full Entry of the Day:

Mr. Davood Abadiani, former Deputy of the Administrative and Employment Organization, visited and mentioned that following the merger of the Planning and Budget Organization and the Administrative and Employment Organization, both organizations are facing issues, and employment matters have effectively become part of the Planning Organization, resulting in confusion. Mr. Mohammad Bagherian, the designer of this merger, now regrets it and is unwilling to work in this area, expressing dissatisfaction and waiting for reassignment. He requested to work at the Expediency Discernment Council.

Dr. Mehdi Akbarzadeh, head of the Agricultural Pesticide Research Institute, came to discuss his problems with the Ministry of Energy and the Planning and Budget Organization, seeking assistance. He expressed concern about the future of the institute following the merger with the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad, especially after a new minister, other than Dr. Isa Kalantari, took over, who does not support them. He mentioned having a meeting with President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, where he felt his work was not appreciated. He commended yesterday's sermon.

In the evening, Mr. Abolfazl Toukalian Bina and Mr. Mohammad Reza Etemadian, advisors to the President on guild and trade matters, expressed concern about the continuation of the current situation in the country if Mr. Khatami is reelected. They believe that if the next four years proceed as before, nothing will remain for the revolution and Islam. Mr. Etemadian complained about my condolences to Mr. Abdullah Nouri on the death of his mother, citing the reason that he is condemned by the regime. I stated that humanitarian and emotional matters should be separated from political affairs. They praised the Friday prayer sermon from yesterday.

Confidential reports indicate that Ayatollah Hossein Vahid Khorasani, a prominent religious authority, has explicitly criticized the actions of Mr. Seyyed Mohammad Khatami’s government in his meetings, citing the weakening of religious and moral affairs, neglect of the people's issues and security, and the failure to fulfill promises made to the public or communicated privately to scholars, particularly regarding the strengthening of Sunni Islam and the weakening of Shia in Sunni-populated regions of the country.