Memories of Akbar Hashemi - March 9, 2001 - Ongoing Developments Regarding the Supreme National Security Council's Declaration of a State of Emergency in the Country

The promotion and support for Crown Prince Abdullah's plan, which calls for Israel's return to the 1967 borders in exchange for recognition, continues. In Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe is facing pressure from the United States and the European Union, with sanctions now imposed. However, he maintains a serious stance in support of the black majority in Zimbabwe. As the elections approach, Mugabe has arrested several opposition leaders on charges of coup plotting.

The killing of 57 Hindu extremists in a train in India by Muslims, coinciding with the deaths of several Shia individuals in a mosque in Rawalpindi at the hands of the Pakistani group Sipah-e-Sahaba, signifies the ongoing violence and crisis. The United States has requested genetic material from the family of Osama bin Laden to compare it with the remains of the victims, as part of efforts to justify its new missile strikes and mass killings in Afghanistan.

Foreign media and radical reformists are making significant headlines regarding the planned declaration of a state of emergency and political blockade in Iran by conservatives. This is despite the fact that the Supreme National Security Council's resolution has been signed by the President and endorsed by the Leader, and does not include a political blockade.

Russia has opposed the presence of American troops in Georgia, while the simultaneous addition of military forces from seven Western countries, primarily France, at the Manas military base in Kyrgyzstan is noteworthy, echoing past reports about Russia's role in the September 11 attacks.

I worked in the office until the afternoon. At four o'clock, I went to the village of Sulqan for the memorial for the martyrs. The local imam reported that there are 63 martyrs, 83 war veterans, and eight freedom fighters, despite the village's population being only eight thousand. I delivered an extensive speech about the value of sacrifice in the face of selfishness. The son of a martyr recited a poignant poem. A large and enthusiastic crowd gathered. Students were lined up in the street. After the ceremony, accompanied by Dr. [Ali Akbar] Velayati, the Leader’s advisor on international affairs, we visited the graves of the martyrs, where many people also came to pay their respects.

In Palestine, eight individuals have been martyred, with Israel launching an attack involving seventy tanks. A Palestinian student detonated a suicide bomb at an Israeli base, injuring three soldiers. A Gallup poll from nine Islamic countries indicates a majority opposition to U.S. policies. A gathering of twelve socialist leaders in Stockholm, Sweden, condemned the unilateral policies of the United States. It has been reported that the Pentagon has established an organization to create false news for psychological warfare purposes.