Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs – October 4, 2001 (Mehr 12, 1380) – Hashemi’s Account of the Pool Where He Eventually Passed Away

• Hashemi’s Account of the Pool Where He Ultimately Passed Away
• Hashemi’s Account of the Continued Disputes Over the Appointment of a Non-Native Governor in Kurdistan
• Hashemi’s Account of Protests by Textile Workers in Isfahan

Full Diary Entry:

I was working in the Koushk office. I am here on Thursdays to use the swimming pool and do the swimming exercises that the doctors have recommended. This building was originally designated as the residence for one of the leaders during the [1997 Islamic Summit Conference] in Tehran and later became the office of the head of the Expediency Discernment Council. Following the recommendation of the Supreme National Security Council, it was decided that I should not always work in one office.

The issue of the resignation of Kurdish representatives, in protest of the appointment of a non-native governor, is still a topic of attention. [Mr. Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari], the Interior Minister, criticized the representatives’ actions today during the introduction ceremony of the new governor in Sanandaj, and [Mr. Abdollah Ramezan-Zadeh], the former governor of Kurdistan who is now the Cabinet Secretary, also condemned their actions. The representatives may retaliate as well. Kurdish groups and factions are continuously issuing statements in support of the representatives' actions, and some representatives from other provinces are also protesting for the same reason.

A large number of textile workers in Isfahan held a protest in front of the governor's office, expressing outrage over the new law that allows textile factories to fire workers in violation of labor laws. They chanted harsh slogans such as "Oh spineless Parliament," "Death to Parliament," and "Shame on you, Reformists." They clashed with the security forces and attacked a police station. There was a similar gathering yesterday, and similar protests are starting in other cities, with numerous statements and letters being issued.

A Russian plane carrying 66 passengers and 12 crew members, en route from Israel to Russia, crashed into the Black Sea, killing all on board. Israel, out of fear, has suspended all flights departing from Tel Aviv. Initially, it was reported that an explosion occurred on the plane, and a pilot from an Armenian plane passing through the area claimed to have witnessed the explosion. Eventually, the Ukrainian military announced that one of the missiles fired during a drill in Crimea had hit the plane.

The U.S. continues to beat the drums of war. [Colin Powell], its Defense Secretary, is in the Gulf Arab states to justify the war and seek their assistance, and [Tony Blair], the British Prime Minister, is in Russia for the same purpose and will head to Pakistan tomorrow. Apparently, they have yet to convince regional countries to allow the use of their airspace or airports, and a report of Uzbekistan’s agreement, which had been published earlier, was denied. They said they would provide non-military assistance. They want to forgive $5 billion of Turkey’s debt to gain cooperation and support, and perhaps they are deliberately delaying operations to prepare Taliban opposition or to pressure the Taliban into handing over bin Laden without war.

[Gulbuddin] Hekmatyar, [leader of Afghanistan’s Islamic Party], has announced that he will stand against the U.S. In Bangladesh, the opposition party won the elections, but Mrs. [Sheikh] Hasina [Wazed, leader of the Awami League party] has rejected the results.