Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - April 14, 2001 - Participation in the Mourning Ceremony of Muharram Hosted by Ayatollah Khamenei and the Speech by Seyyed Ahmad Khatami

Participation in the Mourning Ceremony of Muharram Hosted by Ayatollah Khamenei and the Speech by Seyyed Ahmad Khatami

Incidents for the Islamic Republic and participation in the Arab Parliamentary Assembly with a promise of follow-up and management by Sheikh Mahdi Karrubi.

Full Entry:

I went to my office. Most of the time was spent on studying and working on the internet, and I discussed the issues related to the American spy plane that has been landed on the Hainan Island in China. I listened to news from [satellite] television networks; it is an important issue, although China and the United States are careful not to let it spiral out of control. It is somewhat reminiscent of the incident of the U-2 spy plane [in 1960] that was shot down by Soviet long-range missiles in the Soviet Union, which led to a loss of credibility for the United States and prestige for the Soviet Union. China claims that its airspace was violated and that the plane landed in Chinese territory without permission and holds the United States responsible for the crash of the Chinese plane, whose pilot is missing, stating that the U.S. must apologize first and has only allowed American officials to meet with the crew of the plane, which has two damaged engines and a damaged nose.

The United States says the plane was flying over international waters and that two Chinese fighter jets engaged with it, causing damage and forcing it to make an emergency landing. It has warned that if China touches the documents and contents of the highly classified aircraft, relations will sour, and it has called for the swift return of the plane and its crew, claiming that some of the plane's contents have been removed.

Some members of the U.S. Congress have called for more pressure on China, and given the criticisms that [George] Bush, [the President of the United States], has made regarding [Bill] Clinton's weakness in dealing with China, he is now in a dilemma. Some have likened the reputational damage and the exposure of American espionage tools and methods to the case of [Robert] Hansen, the American spy for the Soviet Union, which was uncovered a few weeks ago and led to a crisis involving the expulsion of dozens of diplomats from both sides.

The Palestinian crisis has escalated; Israel has taken a path of increasing violence, daily attacking sensitive Palestinian areas with tanks, artillery, and helicopters, tightening the blockade, adopting a tougher stance, and the Intifada has intensified. The weakness of the Palestinian Authority and Arab governments has become clearer, but the position of the Palestinian people remains strong; yesterday, they launched an artillery attack on an Israeli settlement and have promised retaliation for Israeli violence.

At the Inter-Parliamentary Conference in Havana, [the capital of Cuba], most speakers condemned Israel's violence, and the Israeli representative lost his composure and shouted in protest. Some Arab parliamentary leaders told our delegation in Havana that if Iran wants them to participate in the Palestine conference in Iran, it must guarantee that no issues against them will be raised. They are concerned that revolutionary Islamic groups might become radicalized; they come from a high position with a sense of entitlement. Mr. [Mahdi] Karrubi, [the Speaker of Parliament], has promised control.

At night, I participated in the mourning ceremony for Muharram at the leadership event in the Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh. Mr. Seyyed Ahmad Khatami gave a speech; it was not bad. The mourners recited poems. I returned home late. Iffat has gone to Rafsanjan for the mourning ceremony being held in [the village of] Aliabad Sadat. Mr. Jalal prepared dinner and stayed overnight so I wouldn’t be alone.