Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - October 19, 2002

While reporting to the parliament today, Mr. Khatami responded to criticisms from opponents of the [elections and clarification of the president's powers] bills and made attacks on them that will not go unanswered.

Saddam Hussein issued a general amnesty order in Iraq today.

Full text of the diary:

I didn't sleep well last night because of toothache, and I was lazy today. Dr. [Ali Akbar] Velayati, [Leadership Advisor on International Affairs] came and said that he has resigned from the Assembly of Religions [Islamic] because of too much work and said that they are having a consultation meeting on revolutionary issues and dealing with counter-revolutionary measures.  Mr. [Syed Hossein] Mousavian, [Deputy Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council] quoted that Mr. [Kamal] Kharazi, [Minister of Foreign Affairs] told [Jack Straw], the British Foreign Minister that it is possible for Iran to cooperate with America against Saddam [Hussein, President of Iraq]. After conveying the message to America, they through   The British embassy has said that they welcome it. Considering the policy of non-cooperation with the US, it is unlikely that the news is true. There was a discussion about the possibility of [Mr. Khatami] resigning the president and some of his colleagues, in case the two bills are rejected and its consequences. 

[Mr. Tran Duc Lunc], the President of Vietnam has requested a meeting and the President's ceremonies have set the time near noon.  [Mr. Seyed Mohammad Hosseini,] the new ambassador of Iran in Senegal came for consultation;  He is a graduate of Imam Sadiq University (AS).  consulted, I said that in general, cooperation with Africa should be developed and it is wrong to neglect Africa for the sake of cooperation with the West, and Senegal is a suitable place.  Mr. [Syed Mohammad Baqer] Sakhai, the new ambassador in Tunisia, came and talked about his services during the embassy in Qatar and his plan to work in Tunisia.  

On the evening of the wedding [Mrs. Rababe Asadi], I married one of Fati's colleagues.  Dr. [Ahmed] Ahmadi, [Mohammed] Jafari Gilani, [Masih] Mohajeri, [Mohammed Hassan] Rahimian and [Mohammed Taghi] Rahbar came.  By explaining the political, economic and cultural problems caused by the differences and the performance of the second Khordadis, a solution was discussed.  

Mr. [Syed Mohammad] Khatami, while reporting to the parliament today, responded to the criticisms of the opponents of the [elections and clarification of the president's powers] laws and attacked them, which will not go unanswered.  

Today, Saddam Hussein issued a general amnesty order in Iraq.  Russia granted amnesty to 75,000 prisoners, and 700 people were pardoned in Iran [on the occasion of the birth of Hazrat Mahdi (PBUH)].  Pakistani media have written that recently 16 American soldiers were killed in Khost [province], [one of the eastern provinces of Afghanistan]. 
Tonight we have drizzle.