Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – May 22, 2003

The 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck last night in Boumerdès, east of Algiers, caused heavy casualties and extensive damage. As of 2:00 a.m., 800 bodies had been recovered and 5,000 people injured. After the devastating 1980 Algerian earthquake, this is the most destructive one [with 2,266 deaths].

Today, the United Nations Security Council approved the final U.S. draft resolution [on Iraq] with 14 out of 15 votes. Syria was absent from the vote. Sanctions were lifted, and the United States was authorized to utilize Iraqi oil and undertake reconstruction efforts, while only a monitoring representative from the United Nations would be present. The surrender of Russia, France, and Germany surprised many observers.

The U.S. election campaign has begun with George W. Bush registering as the sole Republican candidate and nine Democrats registering as candidates. Democrats have started attacking Bush’s weaknesses in the economy, mismanagement in the fight against terrorism, and the war. Bush, however, continues to maintain his position under the shadow of the security crisis and public concerns.

In Afghanistan, the disagreements between Hamid Karzai, head of the Transitional Administration, and the Panjshiri group and northern commanders have become more serious. Following Karzai’s defense of the Taliban a few days ago, tensions intensified. Karzai threatened to resign and convene a Loya Jirga and told the Iranian ambassador that the northern leaders should be advised to put aside their differences. Most governors of the six wealthy border provinces accepted Karzai’s centralizing proposals, easing the crisis. However, Karzai’s dismissal of Abdul Rashid Dostum from the governorship and his pressure to limit the military forces under local commanders are likely to deepen the conflict.

Today in Iraq, clashes occurred between U.S. forces and residents of Fallujah. Several civilians were killed or wounded, and an American tank caught fire. In Diyala, U.S. pressure on the office of the Supreme Council continued.

The talks between Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. representative, and Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations, which were scheduled to take place yesterday in Geneva, were canceled. The Leader told me the night before last that he had ordered the cancellation of the talks because of the weakness he perceived in Mr. Zarif’s remarks in response to the demanding tone of the U.S. representative, as well as the conduct of Khalilzad himself. However, the U.S. government also stated that it had decided to cancel the negotiations. American propaganda pressure on Iran regarding weapons of mass destruction and allegations of al-Qaeda members being present in Iran continues.

The Iraqi chargé d’affaires in Sri Lanka told the Iranian ambassador that on the day Republican Guard forces launched their major offensive against the Americans, all but two of them were destroyed by a mysterious weapon. He claimed there had been 69,000 Iraqi troops and that they had all been reduced to powder. It is highly unlikely that this report is true and reflects his lack of experience and information. It is impossible that such a major event could have escaped the notice of observers.

I worked at the Koushk office until the afternoon. In the evening, I attended the opening ceremony of the Islamic Azad University Alumni Association conference at Milad Hall in the International Exhibition Center. It was an impressive gathering attended by distinguished graduates. Dr. Abdollah Jassbi, President of Islamic Azad University, reported that the university now had 90,000 students, eight million square meters of facilities, 180 university branches, 5,000 academic programs, and 1.2 million graduates. Hossein Entezami, head of the Alumni Association, also presented positive statistics. In my detailed speech on the history of the university, I suggested making use of the immense capacity of graduates for major projects such as watershed management and similar initiatives.

Today, right-wing newspapers criticized President Khatami’s remarks yesterday regarding the twin bills [the “Reform of the Parliamentary Election Law” and the “Clarification of the Limits and Powers of the President”], while left-wing newspapers welcomed them.

General Tommy Franks, commander of U.S. military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, announced that he would resign. He has been accused of war crimes in a Belgian court, but Belgium, under pressure from the United States, transferred the case to the U.S. judicial system.

It has been announced that due to rising global temperatures, cloud levels in northeastern America have risen by 180 meters compared to thirty years ago, causing significant damage to American forests.

The United States has appointed military prosecutors to try Guantanamo detainees. The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq has called on all members of Iraq’s Ba'ath Party and Iraq’s intelligence and security services to identify themselves to the occupying forces.