Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - March 16, 2002 - Meeting with Sheikh Ali Younesi and Report on Al-Qaeda Members in Iran, Consultation on Judicial Discrepancies and Parallel Intelligence Agencies

Coordination Meeting with Assistants of the Strategic Research Center
Consultation with Hossein Mehrpour, Head of the Constitutional Law Supervisory Board, on Solutions for Handshaking with Iranian Officials Abroad and Prince Abdullah's Programs
Meeting with Mohammad Hassan Malek Madani, the New Mayor of Tehran
Meeting with Sheikh Ali Younesi and Report on Al-Qaeda Members in Iran, Consultation on Judicial Discrepancies and Parallel Intelligence Agencies

Full Diary Text:

Before noon, I had a meeting with the assistants of the Strategic Research Center [of the Expediency Discernment Council]. It was decided that the Center for Human Sciences should plan programs tailored to the needs of the seminaries to support the government Islamic system. Mr. [Hossein] Mehrpour, a legal expert, reported on the Islam Conference held in Geneva by the [Organization of Islamic Cooperation], discussing the difficulties faced by Iranian officials regarding handshakes with women during meetings, which often leads to discomfort. We also discussed Prince Abdullah’s [Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia] proposal and possible solutions for the Palestine issue, emphasizing the implementation of UN resolutions, the formation of an independent state, and the right of return for refugees.

In the afternoon, Mr. [Mohammad Hassan] Malek Madani, the new Mayor of Tehran, came to discuss his priorities, which include the development of metro lines, sewage systems, organizing Tehran, and renovating dilapidated areas. Since he had collaborated with Mr. [Gholamhossein] Karbaschi, the former mayor, he can continue his policies.

Mr. [Ali] Younesi, the Minister of Intelligence, came and provided a report on Al-Qaeda in Iran, stating that most individuals who had entered Iran had left. A few individuals who posed no threat had been returned to their countries, while some who were unwilling to leave Iran were imprisoned. He criticized the Judiciary, the IRGC, and the police for overlapping with the responsibilities of the [Ministry of] Intelligence and requested assistance to resolve these issues.

I responded that these overlaps primarily aim to secure the Leader's approval for dealing with opponents, and if the Ministry could gain the Leader's trust, these overlaps would not occur. He noted that the Second of Khordad faction regrets past confrontations with me and admits that those actions were mistakes. He requested my help in bringing the two factions closer together and reducing disputes. He takes the possibility of an American attack on Iraq seriously.

Dick Cheney, the [U.S. Vice President], who is visiting countries in the region, is facing opposition wherever he goes regarding the attack on Iraq; perhaps these oppositions are only superficial.