Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - June 14, 2003

At the Infrastructure Commission of the Expediency Discernment Council, three more articles of the general policies of land-use planning (Amayesh) were approved. A discussion was held regarding high prices (inflation). Mr. [Bijan Namdar] Zanganeh, [the Oil Minister], was cautioned about the increase in motor oil prices. Mr. Majid Ansari, the head of the Parliament's Planning and Budget Commission, stated that costs have risen so much over the past few years that balancing next year's budget will be difficult, and he requested the Council's help in resolving this issue.

Mr. [Gholamreza] Aghazadeh, [the head of the Atomic Energy Organization], came. He expressed gratitude for the assistance at the Leader's session regarding negotiations with the [International Atomic Energy] Agency (IAEA) and complained about Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Khatami, [the President], and Mr. [Hassan] Rouhani, [the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council], for delaying the implementation of that decision. He said that good work has been done with the members of the IAEA Board of Governors, and it is possible that the non-aligned member countries of the Agency might issue a statement in favor of Iran.

In the evening, Mr. Saud al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, came. Discussions were held regarding Iraq, Palestine, al-Qaeda, and America. He said that disagreements among American officials are so great that their stated policies and statements cannot be trusted. He said that Crown Prince Abdullah [bin Abdulaziz al-Saud] has a close relationship with [George] Bush, [the US President], and through him, learns about their policies. Regarding the roadmap [peace plan] at the Sharm el-Sheikh conference, Crown Prince Abdullah had set a condition for his participation. When we went to Egypt, it became apparent that the agenda had been changed. The Crown Prince said, "I will not participate," and Bush adjusted the session according to the Crown Prince's view. He said that Bush is serious about implementing the roadmap and the Arabs are in agreement. Regarding Iraq, he said that America will reach a dead end, its actions are unreasonable, and it cannot administer Iraq.

During a private session, he requested a meeting to convey a message from Crown Prince Abdullah. He said that they have heard from various sources that America intends to harm Iran, though not through military attack. The Crown Prince asked George Bush at the [G8 summit in] Evian [France] and at Sharm el-Sheikh, and Bush said that he is concerned about Iran due to its opposition to resolving the Middle East problem, its interference in Iraq, its sheltering of al-Qaeda, and its intention to build nuclear weapons. The Crown Prince sent a message to me and Mr. Khatami that it would be good for us to enter into negotiations with America regarding these issues. I considered America's concerns unfounded and explained accordingly. An invitation was extended for a visit to Saudi Arabia.

Last night, there were also clashes at the University dormitory. In Shiraz and Isfahan, rioters also caused problems in the streets, and there have been movements in some other universities as well.

In Iraq, American forces have killed a number of people, claiming that they were remnants of the Ba'athists who had plans to attack Americans. [Paul] Bremer, [the head of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq], has asked the Iraqis currently in Iran not to return to their country for the time being. Iran has protested. Today in Afghanistan, at least four Americans have been killed.