Memories of Akbar Hashemi - March 10, 2001 - Noteworthy Report by Abdolhassan Mokhtadaei and Complaints Against the Minister of Interior and the Participation Party for Efforts to Dismiss Him from Governorship of Khuzestan Province

Continuing visits to Khuzestan and touring the province's industrial projects, especially the Mahshahr Port.

The report by Abdolhassan Mokhtadaei included complaints about the Minister of Interior and the Participation Party's attempts to remove him from the governorship of Khuzestan Province, as well as the delay in the Cabinet's vote of confidence for his appointment as governor—topics that Hashemi (or the publisher) chose to bypass.

Complete Daily Record:

Morning tensions between Muslims and Hindus in India have escalated dangerously, resulting in numerous casualties. Martial law has been declared in 27 cities, with the military assisting the police. The Hindu Council has urged the Prime Minister to resign if he cannot resolve the Babri Mosque issue. In Guantanamo Bay, most detainees have begun a hunger strike in protest against U.S. treatment after a guard removed a prisoner’s turban during prayer.

At 7 AM, we flew from Mehrabad Airport to Khuzestan. Accompanying me were [Mohammad Reza] Nemat-Zadeh, [CEO of the National Petrochemical Company], [Akbar] Torkan, [Chairman of the Petropars Company], as well as Yasir, Mahdi, Fati, Iffat, and Ali and Mohammad Lahouti, guards and clerks. We landed at Omidiyeh base at 8:30 AM, where we were greeted by [Abdolhassan Mokhtadaei], the governor, [Ibrahim Falsafi], the Imam of Bandar [Mahshahr], and base commanders. In a brief interview, I stated that the purpose of the visit was to inspect oil, gas, and petrochemical projects and assess the situation in the south and along the coasts.

We traveled by car to Imam Port. On the way, Governor Mokhtadaei explained the province's conditions, expressing complaints against the Participation Party and the Ministry of Interior for their attempts to remove him; his appointment has yet to be approved by the Cabinet. We visited the economic free zone at the port. During a gathering of directors, Mr. Nemat-Zadeh detailed new petrochemical projects. Approximately ten projects require an investment of $3.5 billion and 700 billion tomans, closely aligning with the Iranian government's 1400 development goals. These plans are noted for being interesting, significant, modern, and more economical than previous ones.

As a commemorative gesture, I planted an orange tree. We toured various sections of the zone, where the manager of each project provided reports. The free zone spans over two thousand hectares, with part designated for non-governmental projects, established during the final year of the Reconstruction Government. After prayers and lunch, we returned to the petrochemical region of the port. Following a rest period, we visited Razavi Petrochemical and Chemical Company, where we received reports. They have annual exports exceeding $600 million, most of which is profit. With these profits, which have so far been tax-exempt, there is a significant opportunity for development. From next year, they will be subject to a 25% tax.

We toured the port and then headed to Shahid Chamran residential area. After the Maghrib prayer, we visited a newly constructed cultural center, inspecting the sports halls, swimming pool, and newly planted gaz trees along the way.

In the cultural center and the municipal council in Mahshahr, there were requests for the petrochemical sector to contribute more to the development of Mahshahr Port. I personally reminded Mr. Nemat-Zadeh of the needs and expectations of the people. I participated in a meeting with the directors, who expressed their requests, and I delivered a brief encouraging speech.

I went to the newly constructed buildings designated for employee housing. The building had the smell of paint and humidity. On the way, a woman stopped my car, lamenting her problems, including being separated from her addicted husband and living in poverty; she approached Iffat for assistance. Fati also visited the new company hospital and later reported that only two patients were hospitalized, despite having 200 beds. I emphasized that they should open it to the general public, as it is currently exclusive to oil workers.