Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - May 2, 2001 In the continuation of Sheikh Masih Mohajeri's consultations, this time to encourage Hashemi to participate in the upcoming presidential election.

In the continuation of Sheikh Masih Mohajeri's consultations, this time to encourage Hashemi to participate in the upcoming presidential election.

Meeting with Hossein Nasiri and a report on the plans for the country's free trade and industrial zones.

Meeting with Commander Ali Asghar Moheddi, the former commander of the Protection Corps, who has been transferred to the Expediency Discernment Council.

In the continuation of Sheikh Masih Mohajeri's consultations, this time to encourage Hashemi to participate in the upcoming presidential election.

Meeting with Dr. Mousa Zargar and a report that the Ministry of Education building on 30 Tir Street was handed over to Sina Hospital.

Mr. [Hossein] Nasiri, Secretary of the [High Council of] Free [Trade-Industrial and Special Economic] Zones, came. He explained future plans for the free zones and complained about obstacles and obstructions. Mr. [Ali-Asghar] Moheddi, the former commander of the Protection Corps, came. He spoke about the country's problems and the lack of action at the Strategic Research Center [of the Expediency Discernment Council].

Mr. Masih Mohajeri, [Advisor to the President and Chief Editor of the Islamic Republic Newspaper], came and said that the intellectuals of the nation are in agreement that you can save the country from this situation, and he suggested that it might be an unavoidable duty; I emphasized that I cannot accept this.

In the evening, Dr. [Mousa] Zargar, [President of Sina Hospital], came and expressed his appreciation for my significant help in reviving Sina Hospital and complained about the lack of cooperation afterward. However, he thanked the Minister of Education for handing over the [central Ministry of Education building on 30 Tir Street] [for the hospital expansion project].

Palestinian Hamas fighters, in a martyrdom operation, set off a bomb at the Kefar bus station in Israel, killing two and wounding 50. Israel has vowed revenge. The MEK (Mujahedin-e Khalq) fired 15 mortars at the city of Qasr-e Shirin, causing no casualties. The summit of 34 countries of the Americas – without Cuba – approved the establishment of a continental free trade zone, which is set to open in early 2006; some are strongly opposed and say that the U.S. will benefit the most.