Memories of Akbar Hashemi - February 14, 2002 - Hashemi's Account of Remarks by Ali Asghar Hadi Zadeh, Representative of Mahallat in the Sixth Parliament

Hashemi's Account of Remarks by Ali Asghar Hadi Zadeh, Representative of Mahallat in the Sixth Parliament

Media Pressure on Ahmad Khorram, the then Minister of Roads and Transportation, Following the Crash of a Passenger Plane on the Tehran-Khorramabad Route

Questions from Parliament Members to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense Regarding Statements by Brigadier General Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr

Hassan Rouhani's Report on the Dispute Between the IRGC and the Foreign Ministry Regarding Presence in Afghanistan and Ayatollah Khamenei's Support for the IRGC, as Well as the National Security Council's Opposition and Other Important Political Consultations, Including Criticism of Seyyed Mohammad Khatami's Inquiry to Ayatollah Khamenei Regarding the Proposed British Ambassador to Tehran Following Opposition from the Ministry of Intelligence

Full Text of the Daily Journal:

In Afghanistan, an American transport plane crashed, resulting in one death and several injuries. Afghan militia attacked the U.S. forces' base at Kandahar Airport, leading to half an hour of clashes. The U.S. announced that several militia members have been detained.

In Yemen, a member of Al-Qaeda attacked police forces pursuing him with a grenade. In Los Angeles, following the discovery of a suspicious package, the airport was evacuated and closed until a complete investigation was conducted. The U.S. stated that it is likely that terrorists may carry out a highly dangerous attack. Families affected by U.S. bombings in Afghanistan protested in front of the U.S. embassy in Kabul, demanding compensation.

In Pakistan, Sheikh Omar Saeed was arrested as the head of the group that kidnapped Daniel Pearl, an American journalist for the Wall Street Journal. He had previously been imprisoned in India and was freed through the kidnapping of his associates. This series of events indicates that the pressure from the Mujahideen on the U.S. is extensive and ongoing, and the U.S. military invasion has achieved little. Analysts state that terrorism cannot be eradicated through military force; rather, the roots of terrorism—poverty, discrimination, and oppression—must be addressed. Although the U.S. utilizes these environments to justify its war programs aimed at global dominance and to approve military budgets.

Colin Powell, [the U.S. Secretary of State], stated in the U.S. Parliament that [Yasser] Arafat, [the President of the Palestinian Authority], accepted responsibility for a ship carrying weapons, while Israel claims that a Palestinian agent involved in procuring these weapons confessed in an Israeli prison that he received them from Iran.

Yesterday in Parliament, Mr. [Ali Asghar] Hadi Zadeh, a leftist representative from Mahallat, stated that conservatives, by exaggerating the threat of an American attack, aim to create an abnormal atmosphere in the country and foster political obstruction. Mr. Behzad Nabavi made similar remarks during my meeting with him. U.S. officials are gradually and openly supporting the Second Khordad Front and boldly state that the global pressure must ensure the victory of Khatami's faction over Khamenei's faction.

[Mr. Ahmad Khorram], the Minister of Roads and Transportation, under public pressure regarding the crash of the second Russian plane within a year, stated that plans are in place to remove Russian aircraft from passenger transport. A number of representatives have sought explanations from the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs regarding Mr. [Mohammad Baqer] Zolqadr's statements, claiming that his assertion about destroying regional oil facilities in response to an American attack on Iran has upset neighboring countries and disrupted foreign policy, aiming to create a wave against the IRGC and conservatives. Western and Arab media are also assisting in this endeavor.

In the U.S. Congress's budget committee, a dispute occurred between the committee chair and the Secretary of State, with representatives objecting to the President's warmongering policies against independent countries such as Iran, North Korea, and Iraq. They stated that the government had only received permission from Congress to attack terrorism related to September 11 and that with this permission, it cannot attack other countries. If another war is to occur, it must seek approval from Congress. [Colin] Powell stated that there are no war plans regarding Iran; instead, measures are being taken to strengthen the Second Khordad Front against the leadership of the revolution, which has proven costly for the left. [George] Bush, [the President of the United States], has called for the removal of Saddam Hussein, [the President of Iraq].

In the evening, Dr. [Hassan] Rouhani, [Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council], came to my home. He reported on the conflict between the IRGC and the Foreign Ministry regarding presence in Afghanistan, noting that the leadership supports the IRGC while the National Security Council opposes it, complicating the IRGC's operations due to U.S. and Afghan statements. He views the American threat as serious and offers strategies for mitigating it. Their problem is accepting leadership. He quoted Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Mousavi Khoyi who mentioned that they do not take the American threat seriously and attribute their situation to provocations from the opposing faction, stating plainly that no progress can be made with the leadership's positions. Regarding the proposed British ambassador who was rejected, he said that Mr. Khatami, [the President], unnecessarily questioned the leadership on this issue; since the Ministry of Intelligence opposed it, the leadership rejected it.

[Mr. Abdul Rahman], the Minister of [Aviation and] Tourism in Afghanistan, was killed at Kabul Airport during an attack by pilgrims awaiting a flight to Mecca.