Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - July 1, 2001 - Report by Sheikh Ebrahim Amini and Seyyed Hassan Taheri Khoram Abadi Regarding the Request for Help from Ayatollah Montazeri's Household to the Religious Authorities

Consultative Meeting with Mohammad Sadegh Khrazi and Dr. Hossein Sadeghi, and Inquiry by Khrazi Regarding Resignation or Continuation of His Position in the Foreign Ministry in the New Government, as Well as Determining Relations with the U.S.

Continuing Criticism and Surprise at Ayatollah Khamenei's Approval of Sheikh Mahdi Karrubi's Proposal for Investigation into the IRIB, This Time the Meeting with Ali Larijani and Criticism of This Approval, as Well as Proposals Regarding Monitoring and Controlling Reforms in Relation to Their Claims about Limiting the Supreme Leader's Powers and Opposition to the IRGC's Intelligence Organization, Supporting Ayatollah Montazeri.

Report by Sheikh Ebrahim Amini and Seyyed Hassan Taheri Khoram Abadi Regarding the Request for Help from Ayatollah Montazeri's Household to the Religious Authorities and Messages from Ayatollahs Makarem Shirazi and Fazel Lankarani Regarding Conditions for Involvement in This Matter

Meeting with Managers of the Imam’s Relief Committee Offices and Hearing the Report from Seyyed Reza Niri

Participation in the Commemoration Ceremony of the Martyrs of July 7

Full Text of the Daily Entry:

Mr. Sadegh Khrazi, [Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs], and Dr. [Hossein] Sadeghi, a heart surgeon in the U.S., came to visit. Dr. Sadeghi explained the strong belief among many educated Iranians abroad regarding significant contributions in managing and concluding the war, reconstruction, and reducing tensions. He asked me to be prepared to return to management for the sake of the country's salvation. I said I do not intend to return and will assist from here. Mr. Sadegh Khrazi mentioned that he is writing a book about my contributions to the Iranian revolution and sought advice on remaining in his current position, to which I replied that it would be better for him to stay and finish the unfinished work. He emphasized the need to renew relations with the U.S.

Dr. [Ali] Larijani, [Head of IRIB], came to me. He expressed his frustration over the pressure from the parliament on IRIB and criticized the leadership's response to Mr. [Mahdi] Karrubi’s letter. He said the leaders of the Second Khordad Front had a secret meeting and made dangerous decisions regarding diminishing the leader’s powers and consolidating their position, captured in eight points. The actions taken in the parliament these days are aimed in that direction, including several actions against IRIB and opposition to the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization, as well as strengthening Ayatollah [Hosseinali] Montazeri and opposing the judiciary and the Guardian Council. He asked me to take action to manage the forces loyal to the revolution. I pointed out the shortcomings of the right-wing faction while also denouncing the poor actions of the left-wing faction.

At noon, I had a meeting with [Mr. Ali Mashkini, Ebrahim Amini, Seyyed Hassan Taheri Khoram Abadi, and Qorban Ali Dorrin Najaf Abadi], the presiding board of the Assembly of Experts, to discuss the agenda for the summer session of the Experts and to address current affairs in my office. Messrs. Amini and Taheri Khoram Abadi said that following the letter from Mr. Montazeri's family to the religious authorities requesting help to lift the house arrest on him, Ayatollahs [Naser] Makarem Shirazi and [Mohammad] Fazel Lankarani had asked to send a message to Mr. Montazeri through them, stating that if he committed to not taking opposing actions, they would intercede for lifting the house arrest. However, they did not want to carry this message as they knew Mr. Montazeri would not accept it.

In the evening, the managers of the Imam’s Relief Committee offices from Lebanon, Syria, Tajikistan, Nakhchivan, and Azerbaijan came. Mr. [Seyyed Reza] Niri, [Head of the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee], reported and expressed gratitude for my unwavering support to the committee while complaining about the lack of budget allocation from the Ministry of Commerce. I also spoke to encourage them.

At night, I went to participate in the commemoration ceremony of the martyrs of July 7 at the headquarters of the Islamic Republican Party and gave a lengthy speech. I discussed with some officials of the [Commemoration] of July 7 about the construction of the martyrdom site for the 72 martyrs at the same location [in Sercheshmeh Street, Tehran]. News has reported that there is a disagreement between Israel and the U.S. over the implementation of a ceasefire.