Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – July 8, 2003

Unfortunately, today Laleh and Ladan died from bleeding; I was affected and shed a few tears. State TV had sensationalized the issue so much that it is likely most people cried.

Mr. Haj Habibollah, the special deputy of the Minister of Intelligence, came. He gave a report on the recent riots and said that 4,700 people were arrested, of whom all but 800 have been released, and no clear lead has been found yet; though he said that the hardliners of the Second of Khordad are to blame for stirring them up. A few days ago, Mr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the police chief, said 4,800 people had been arrested.

Mr. Naser Yamin Mardoukhi-Kordestani, from the "Siasat-e Rooz" newspaper, came. He had a few journalistic questions and expressed regret over the delay in the "Iran 1400" vision plan and some other important projects.

Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati, the Supreme Leader's advisor on international affairs, came. Issues related to the visit of Mohamed ElBaradei, the Director General of the IAEA, and the acceptance of the Additional Protocol 2+93 were discussed. I said that he should be expected to return positively and also be told that his previous report had a negative effect, and if he again speaks negatively, he will complicate matters and reach a dead end. Mr. Velayati is a member of the commission that determines the policy for negotiations with the IAEA and believes that the Atomic Energy Organization does not have the capability to negotiate and needs the help of several strong diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the evening, Mr. Mohammad Jafari Gilani and Taha Hashemi came. They said that the Supreme Leader has decided to make the university and research center of the Islamic Propaganda Office in Qom independent, and Mr. Jafari has resigned after discussions with him. They expect me to help resolve the issue. The officials of the Velayat Camp from Qom came. They were heading to Mashhad and sought assistance.

In Afghanistan, there were widespread demonstrations today against Pakistan, protesting the invasion of Afghan territory and the remarks of Pervez Musharraf, and the Pakistani embassy was damaged. The Pakistani ambassador, while closing the embassy, said that Hamed Karzai's provocative remarks caused these public movements and denied the aggression against Afghanistan.

In Palestine, limited clashes continue, and Israel has decided to release 350 prisoners, but the Palestinians say it must release all 8,000 Palestinian prisoners. Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) has denied the Israeli government's claim that he spoke badly of Iran during meetings with Israeli officials. In South Africa, 300 groups have issued a statement opposing George W. Bush's visit to Africa.

In Iraq, three children in Karbala were killed due to the explosion of a cluster bomb that had not detonated. One person was also killed in Ramadi by U.S. soldiers firing at his car. The U.S. has announced that analysis of a tape of Saddam Hussein released by Al Jazeera shows the voice is his, and they have also admitted that three Americans were killed yesterday and today.

The German government has audaciously stated that Iran should not have nuclear technology at all.