Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – June 23, 1999

Dr. [Alireza] Marandi, the former Minister of Health [and Medical Education], arrived. He is pleased about receiving the United Nations [Population] Award for population control in Iran during his tenure, and mentioned that the other nominee was [Bill Gates], the head of Microsoft, who also donates one billion dollars a year to the United Nations, yet received only one out of ten votes while he received nine. He expressed concern over the country's poor economic, cultural, and political situation, particularly regarding medicine, insurance, and unemployment.

Mr. [Fereydoun] Verdinejad, [Managing Director of the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)], arrived. He complained about the pressure exerted on him by both the right-wing and left-wing factions, as well as his prosecution in court, the IRGC's refusal to approve his transfer to the Ministry of Science, his being considered a deserter, and his prosecution by the military court. He brought a copy of *Iran-e Javan* magazine, which had conducted a poll among youth—especially university students—regarding my performance, in which the overwhelming majority praised my record.

A group from the Executives of Construction Party (*Kargozaran-e Sazandegi*) came and requested that I pursue a pardon for Mr. [Gholamhossein] Karbaschi, and also asked me to run for the upcoming parliamentary elections. I told them that they have forgotten the core philosophy behind forming the party and are failing to defend construction and development. They expressed distress over the sentencing of Mr. [Gholamreza] Qobbeh, Mr. Karbaschi's [Administrative and Financial] Deputy. In the media, Saeed Emami's suicide is receiving significant attention, and doubts have been raised.

The mass return of Kosovo refugees, the flight of the Serbs, the popularity of the Kosovo Liberation Army among the people of Kosovo, the continuation of US airstrikes on Iraq, and heightened tensions on the India-Pakistan border are drawing attention. Hafez al-Assad, [President of Syria], and [Ehud] Barak, [Prime Minister of Israel], have made positive remarks about each other and expressed hope for peace; this is a novel development in the history of Syria and Israel, and Zionist centers around the world have launched extensive propaganda against Iran.