Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - August 21, 2001 - Report from Hassan Rouhani on Negotiations with the Sheikhs of the Emirates

Meeting with Abolqasem Delfi, Iranian Ambassador to Belgium, and Report on Negotiations with the European Union

Meeting with Haj Azizim and Mousavi, Former Managers of the Atomic Energy Organization, and Report on the Organization's Status

Invitation from Sheikh Hossein Nawab, Imam Jum'ah of Qaemshahr, for Participation in the Tabarsi Congress and Request for Hashemi's Assistance in Organizing It

Report from Hassan Rouhani on Negotiations with the Sheikhs of the Emirates

Full Text of the Daily Memo:

[Mr. Abolqasem Delfi], the Iranian ambassador to Belgium, came and provided a report on negotiations with the European Union Council. He said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prefers, following the Leader's opinions, to maintain relations with individual European countries rather than as a bloc. However, with the progress observed in the integration of significant sectors of European countries, the Union will be a more effective power in the coming years than individual countries. He also reported on the state of Belgian courts, which claim the right to try individuals outside Belgium, and mentioned the situation facing [Ariel] Sharon, [the Prime Minister of Israel].

Mr. Haj Azizim and Mr. Mousavi, former managers of the [Atomic Energy] Organization, along with two former advisors and university professors, came and expressed concern about the possibility of lowering the safety coefficient of the Bushehr power plant by the Russians, due to the changes made in the previous contract by [Gholamreza] Aghazadeh, [the head of the Atomic Energy Organization]. They also criticized Mr. Aghazadeh's lack of proper communication with the scientific and technical personnel of the organization and named several specialists who have left Iran.

In the evening, Mr. [Hossein] Nawab, the Imam Jum'ah of Qaemshahr, came. He requested assistance for the organization of the Tabarsi Congress and for my participation in it. Dr. [Hassan] Rouhani, [Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council], came and presented suggestions from the commission for activating the Assembly of Experts. He reported on recent negotiations with the Sheikh of Sharjah and Sheikh Zayed regarding the [three] islands, which have made some progress, and also discussed the problems that the Second Khordad Front has created for the revolution in the country.

It was announced that the death toll from the floods in Golestan Province has reached 111, and in Khorasan, there are 35 missing and 20 dead. Floods have also caused damage in other areas. In Haifa, Israel, there was an explosion at a restaurant today, injuring about 50 people. Israel announced that the Palestinian self-government has no right to operate in East Jerusalem.