Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – May 3, 2003

Following the announcement of an agreement between the United States and the Mojahedin [MEK], and their use in suppressing the Iraqi people, widespread criticism of the United States has begun. The Los Angeles Times described it as a major mistake that, for short-term interests, would inflict serious long-term damage on the United States and undermine the credibility of its claims about fighting terrorism—similar to America’s previous support for the Taliban and Saddam Hussein.

The day before yesterday, a Chinese submarine exploded off China’s coast in the Yellow Sea, killing all 70 crew members. No cause has been announced.

In the morning, I went from home to the Foreign Ministry Research Center to inaugurate the Pediatricians Association conference. Dr. [Ahmad] Seyyadati welcomed the participants and presented a report. I also gave a detailed speech about the status of medicine and the development of medical sciences in Iran, emphasizing the importance of insurance, physician distribution, and family medicine. I also referred to the current healthcare problems in Iraq and the condition of Iraqi children.

Before noon, the Infrastructure Commission of the Expediency Discernment Council held a session, entirely devoted to a report by the Management and Planning Organization. Mr. Majid Ansari, head of Parliament’s Planning and Budget Commission, came and said the situation is sensitive and that it is necessary for me to work toward national cohesion and an active policy.

In the afternoon, Mr. Seyyed Mohammad Baqer Hakim, head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, and Ammar, son of Seyyed Abdulaziz, came. He said he plans to go to Najaf within the next two or three days. Coordination with the Americans has not yet been achieved, and the British have said conditions are unsuitable until the end of the week. He gave a detailed report on Iraq’s situation, including that there is currently a vacuum of power and administration in Iraq and that no one is effectively responsible for the country’s affairs. Government offices have mostly been destroyed and looted. Most government employees are absent from work. Water, electricity, trade, and municipal services are inactive or nonexistent in most parts of the country. Looting of people’s property continues. Jay Garner, head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, has expressed helplessness. It had been planned that 180 Iraqis living abroad would cooperate with him, but now they say they are unable to accomplish anything. The people neither fear them nor cooperate with them. He has turned to opposition leaders, and it has been decided that, based on the resolutions of the London and Salahuddin conferences, a leadership committee should become active.

He said there is also no coordination among Shiite groups. The Sadrists are acting very radically and recklessly, and 80 percent of Friday prayer leaders belong to them. Baathists have preserved their organizational structure and are preventing the establishment of security. The Americans also appear indifferent. It has been proposed that he hand leadership of the Supreme Council over to Seyyed Abdulaziz and bring all Shiite groups under one umbrella. Despite feeling threatened, he is going to Najaf because of the existing vacuum. The marjas and clerics have withdrawn, and there is no active central authority within the clergy. He said they intend to establish an organization similar to Iran’s Basij [later known as Hashd al-Shaabi], focused on social and cultural activities. They are requesting financial and political support from Iran. He strongly criticized the Sahar and Al-Alam television channels, saying they exaggerate the role of Baathists and Sadrists.

Mr. [Abdolrahman] Nadimi Bushehri came. He has become deputy managing director of the Kish Free Zone. He said the Dariush Hotel was inaugurated in the presence of President Khatami, but it will not become operational anytime soon, and recent government decisions have weakened trade.

[Messrs. Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, Mehdi Karroubi, and Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi], the heads of the three branches of government, along with Kamal Kharrazi, Foreign Minister, and Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, Oil Minister, were my guests. The discussion centered on exploiting joint oil fields with Iraq. Mr. Zangeneh proposed rapid action and suggested using European countries to gain concessions. He sought the support of the heads of government, and it was agreed that support would be given.

President Khatamireported that Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar, before traveling to the United States, had called today and said they understand Iran’s influence and impact in Iraq, and that establishing stability there would not be possible without coordination with Iran. He requested cooperation and said action would also be taken against the Mojahedin [MEK], and that the United States does not intend to create problems for Iran.

Mr. Karroubi, Speaker of Parliament, said he had heard that the appeals court ruling in the Freedom Movement case had been issued and that the original verdict had been upheld. He requested that the court refrain from announcing the ruling for the time being. Mr. Hashemi Shahroudi, head of the judiciary, stated that he was unaware of the matter.