Memories of Akbar Hashemi - February 19, 2002 - Meeting Between Hashemi and the Family of Ayatollah Khomeini

Meeting Between the Family of Ayatollah Khomeini and the Hashemi Family

Visit to Seyyed Mohammad Khatami and Political and International Consultations, Criticism of Seyyed Mahdi Karrubi's Remarks on the Sharham Jazayeri Case, and Concerns About the Lack of Information on Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the Leader of the Islamic Party of Afghanistan

Report on Events and Developments in Afghanistan and Statements by Abdullah Abdullah and Hamid Karzai

Full Text of the Daily Journal:

I worked in the office until four in the afternoon and spent some time preparing for the upcoming Eid prayer. In the afternoon, Mrs. Khadijeh Saqafi, the wife of the Imam, along with her daughter Farideh and daughter-in-law Fatemeh [Tabatabai], visited Iffat. I welcomed them and inquired about their well-being. The Imam's wife has aged and is dealing with several health issues, but she maintains a good spirit.

In the evening, I visited Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Khatami, [the President]. His back pain has improved, but today he experienced severe diarrhea. We discussed the current situation and the potential threat of American interference, agreeing on the risk involved. He criticized Mr. [Mahdi] Karrubi's comments regarding the [Sharham] Jazayeri case and expressed concern about the actions of some individuals and organizations that undermine the system's policies, such as [sending weapons to Palestine by] the "Karine A" ship and the acceptance of Al-Qaeda members. He mentioned that they have been unaware of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's whereabouts for two days.

Following the killing of seven of its soldiers, Israel has continued its attacks on Palestinians for two days, launching a massive bombing campaign against them. They targeted the office of [Yasser] Arafat, [the President of the Palestinian Authority], destroying part of the building and martyring over 20 people, with many more injured. In retaliation, Palestinian militants destroyed an Israeli tank, killing all its crew. In these dire circumstances, the Palestinian Authority has arrested three individuals accused of killing an Israeli minister. Israel has stated that Arafat will not be freed until these individuals are apprehended. Interestingly, today, a massive crowd participated in the funeral of the martyrs despite the ongoing Israeli attacks.

In New York, a large protest was held against Bush's hardline policies towards American Muslims, claiming that 1,500 Muslims are in prison and that the U.S. is reverting to a fascist era.

In Afghanistan, an American vehicle hit a landmine, resulting in two deaths and four American injuries. Two days ago, an Australian soldier was also killed by a mine. [Abdullah] Abdullah, Afghanistan's Foreign Minister, contrary to [Hamid] Karzai, [the interim president of Afghanistan], stated that the murder of the tourism minister was not political but rather the act of angry individuals. Karzai identified the Islamic Unity Party, led by Burhanuddin Rabbani, as responsible; it seems there is an intent to eliminate them. Karzai has reached an agreement with the U.S. to establish a national army in Afghanistan.

A few days ago in Nepal, Maoists killed 120 people, and in southern Philippines, U.S. military intervention against Muslims has increased. In Italy, it was announced that four Moroccans were arrested with four kilograms of cyanide and a map of Rome, which marked the U.S. embassy and the city’s water supply. In the U.K., police arrested Sheikh Abdullah [al-Faisal], a Jamaican Muslim cleric, based on a law passed 140 years ago due to his fiery speeches [and allegations of inciting his followers to murder and promoting racial hatred].

The U.S. announced that Abu Zubaydah has become responsible for Al-Qaeda operations and identified several Al-Qaeda leaders who are in hiding by name and description. [George] Bush, currently in China, attended a press conference with Jiang Zemin, [the President of China], under unprecedented security controls, acknowledging that they have made no progress in resolving their differences.

Voice of America reported that during a ceremony to honor Olympic athletes [in Salt Lake City, Utah], attended by [George] Bush, statements made by Bush against Iran were broadcast over the loudspeakers as the Iranian team passed by, causing Bush's expression to sour.