Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – June 18, 2003

I had a meeting with the deputies of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Discernment Council. We discussed the research program and current issues. The ongoing unrest, the session of the Board of Governors, and the situation in Iraq were discussed, and it was mentioned that some officials of the Ministry of Science and the radical Second of Khordad (reformist) faction are pleased with these events and think that it could serve as a pressure against the leadership.

In the evening, [Mr. Liu Zhen Tang], the Chinese ambassador, came. He criticized America's bullying towards China and Iran and said that America, like the Soviet Union, is in decline. Discussions were held regarding the development of cooperation.

Last night and today, there were sporadic student movements, but fewer and weaker. The official announcement of US support for the protesters caused them to become discredited and led to a display of unity among the currents inside the system. Yesterday, 217 representatives issued a statement condemning US interference. In Hamadan, it was announced that the universities of that city would be closed until July 16 (25 Tir) and the dormitories have not been evacuated, and gradually a number of universities are in some way witnessing collective protests by students.

A group of the MKO (Mujahideen-e Khalq) gathered in Paris and Germany to protest the arrest of their members. In Paris, two women set themselves on fire, one of whom died. France announced that it has collected eight million dollars and five trucks of specific goods from the MKO centers. Saleh Rajavi, [Masoud] Rajavi's brother, is also among those arrested.

In Iraq, military personnel and clerics separately demonstrated against America. American forces fired on Iraqi soldiers, resulting in eight casualties and two Americans killed and a number wounded. The "Desert Scorpion" plan has been formed to contain protests in the Fallujah region, and a new group called "Resistance Battalions" has announced its existence to expel the invaders, stating that America's claim that the clashes are by remnants of the Ba'athists is a lie.

In Afghanistan, four Americans were killed and eight wounded today. The Americans usually do not announce these statistics. In one of the US states, there are also severe riots with casualties. America's attempt to pass a resolution against Iran at the Board of Governors failed.