Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - September 5, 2002

Attack by Friday Imams on the President over Request for Additional Powers and Elimination of Supervisory Vetting

The head of the Research Council of the Office for the Consolidation of Unity, in a detailed and sharp letter to Mr. Karroubi, criticized him for supporting the splinter group of the Consolidation organization, calling reformists power-seekers who exploit the student movement and free press.

Full diary entry:

I was at home. Mahdi and Fereshteh were hosting. Masoumeh, the pre-revolutionary maid, came and asked for financial help for her second son, who was admitted to Islamic Azad University in Tehran; I agreed. Her other son also studies at Azad University. Because the factory he works in was closed, he faced financial difficulties.

Friday Imams attacked the President over his request for additional powers and the removal of supervisory vetting. The head of the Research Council of the Office for the Consolidation of Unity, in a detailed and sharp letter to Mr. Karroubi [Speaker of Parliament], criticized him for supporting the splinter group of Consolidation and called reformists power-hungry and exploiters of the student movement and free press.

The assassination attempt on [Hamid] Karzai, [head of the Afghan interim government], caused panic in the U.S., Europe, and the United Nations, prompting reactions from all sides. The latest news says the assailant was recruited into the armed forces three weeks ago and is a Pashtun. The incident caused six deaths, and the Kabul explosion has so far killed 30 and injured 150.

The U.S. President today negotiated with Russia, France, and China to persuade them to cooperate in the UN Security Council for the approval of an attack on Iraq; they have veto power. He said next week important documents will be presented at the UN to prove Iraq’s attempts to produce weapons of mass destruction. Oil prices rose again.

A U.S. military helicopter crashed in the Persian Gulf, leaving several dead and injured. U.S. and British aircraft massively bombed southwestern Iraq; usually, weekly bombings are carried out in response to Iraqi defense activities, but recently the scope has increased. The U.S. officially stated that Hezbollah in Lebanon is considered more dangerous than Al-Qaeda and will be dealt with in the future. Hezbollah announced its readiness to confront the U.S.

The city of Tunji in southeastern Sudan was captured by rebels, endangering agreements. In South Korea, Typhoon Maemi killed over 200 people and caused more than three billion dollars in damage.

An Iran Air plane arriving from Europe to Tehran was delayed for two hours due to its doors not opening, holding passengers captive.

It was officially announced that Iran successfully tested the Fateh-110 missile; it is surface-to-surface and solid-fueled. Its development began during my tenure. This is significant, and Israel has expressed alarm and caused a stir.

Efat called from Mecca and said the weather is very hot and pilgrims are numerous. Mohsen brought dinner, and we discussed the future of the [Kargozaran] [Sazandegi] party, as well as issues related to the [Metro] company, missiles, and Tehran municipality.