Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - January 29, 2003

...Dr. Adeli gave a report on the trip to India and said that the Indians did not accept the construction of the gas pipeline, and so that Mr. Khatami, [the President], would not return empty-handed, an incomplete memorandum of understanding was signed regarding the purchase of liquefied gas; however, it is a long way from becoming a contract, and Mr. [Bijan Namdar] Zanganeh, [the Minister of Petroleum], who was accompanying them, left in a huff. Regarding the negotiations at the Davos [Summit], he said that American propaganda concerning Iran, which predicts unrest, has affected the morale of many and is delaying long-term cooperation. He said the general impression is that the war [between the U.S. and Iraq] is certain. He asked me to help resolve the problem between Iran and the United States. He said that by now, the 2nd of Khordad [reformist] faction members have realized that the criticisms they made in the past against structural adjustment policies were unfair...

Full Diary Text:

Mr. [Hossein] Ghazali, the managing director of the Khorasan newspaper, came. He complained somewhat about Mr. [Abbas Vaez] Tabasi, Mr. [Habibollah] Asgaroladi, and the Leader’s Office regarding interference in the newspaper's affairs, which ultimately led to the formation of a board of trustees and restricted his authority; he said he has applied for a [publishing license] for a newspaper of his own. He said the people of Khorasan were grateful for your attention to the Mashhad Metro issues as well as the Doosti Dam and have written letters to the newspaper, some of which have been published. He asked for my opinion on the current issues and the future of the country.

Mr. [Hossein] Sadeghi, the Director General for the Middle East [and the Persian Gulf] at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, came. He gave a report on his trip to Baghdad and his meeting with Naji Sabri, [the Iraqi Foreign Minister], and said that [Sabri] was upset by the cancellation of his trip [to Iran]. He criticized [Mr. Kamal Kharazi], the Minister of Foreign Affairs, for retreating in the face of protests from a group of representatives [of the 6th Parliament] and said that Naji Sabri has been invited once again to come to Iran.

He said that during a trip to Iraq, two students from the [Office for] Strengthening Unity had held the ears and nose of Saddam's picture, which was photographed and led to their arrest; Sabri’s trip was delayed for the sake of rescuing them. [Tim Guldimann], the Swiss Ambassador, came to meet him after a trip to the United States and said that the U.S. is concerned about cooperation between Iran and Al-Qaeda, as well as the plan for intervention and exploitation of Iraqi issues.

Mr. [Mohsen] Doagoo, the Friday Imam of Lavasanat, came. He spoke about the weaknesses of the government and the parliament; he has a book under compilation on this matter and said that in various circles, people say that no one but you can save the country. They complain about the Leader’s lack of decisiveness.

In the afternoon, Dr. [Mohammad-Hossein] Adeli, [the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Affairs], came. He gave a report on the trip to India and said that the Indians did not accept the construction of the gas pipeline, and so that Mr. Khatami, [the President], would not return empty-handed, an incomplete memorandum of understanding was signed regarding the purchase of liquefied gas; however, it is a long way from becoming a contract, and Mr. [Bijan Namdar] Zanganeh, [the Minister of Petroleum], who was accompanying them, left in a huff. Regarding the negotiations at the Davos [Summit], he said that American propaganda concerning Iran, which predicts unrest, has affected the morale of many and is delaying long-term cooperation. He said the general impression is that the war [between the U.S. and Iraq] is certain. He asked me to help resolve the problem between Iran and the United States. He said that by now, the 2nd of Khordad faction members have realized that the criticisms they made in the past against structural adjustment policies were unfair.

At night, Mr. [Mohammad] Emami-Kashani, [the Trustee of Shahid Motahari High School], came. He complained about the Ministry of Industries, stating that regarding the Safashahr mines—which belong to the Foundation for the Support of Disabled Children—it is exercising illegal strictness and is not even following the President's order. He wanted me to give a reminder to Mr. [Eshaq] Jahangiri, [the Minister of Industries and Mines]. He said he has a comprehensive book regarding the Imam of the Age (AJ) under compilation.

In Afghanistan, clashes with American soldiers continued today, and an American helicopter was shot down, and a group died. An American unmanned aerial vehicle was downed in Pakistan, one in Iraq, and one in South Korea, which fell on a house and killed three people.

George Bush delivered his State of the Union address to the U.S. Congress and admitted to his country's economic, health, medical, and security problems, promised decisive action for the disarmament of Iraq, and repeated previous reports regarding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and Saddam's lack of cooperation. He requested that the [UN] Security Council hold a meeting in one week for a final decision and promised to provide documents to the Council. Regarding Iran, he said it supports terrorism and has a program for manufacturing weapons of mass destruction, and expressed hope that the people would overthrow the government!!

Ayatollah Montazeri, in an interview with the BBC, said that his health is better and the possibility of Alzheimer's disease, Hepatitis C, or depression has been ruled out; he said no conditions were set for lifting his house arrest and that he holds the same previous ideas. Some have said this interview will end up being to his detriment, and it is not expected that someone who is a Marja' [Source of Emulation] would interview with a foreign radio station in such a manner and be supported by colonialist foreigners.

At night, we watched part of the series Shab-e Cheragh. It is intended to depict part of the history of the Pahlavi regime and the struggles over 24 episodes.

The Israeli elections ended with the victory of the Likud Party, but [Ariel] Sharon, [the Prime Minister], says that to form a national unity government, he needs the participation of the Labor Party. Apparently, Arab-Israelis also have nine representatives in the parliament.