Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani – March 30, 2003

Martyrdom operations carried out yesterday in Najaf have frightened the invaders, and they view it as the beginning of a new military strategy that Iraqi leaders had previously announced. They believe it could potentially extend to targets such as ships, aircraft, and others.

The United Nations Security Council approved the “food for oil” program and delegated its implementation authority to Kofi Annan. Iraq rejected it, and at the same time the destruction of food warehouses in Basra increased public concern and will add pressure on the United States. News also arrived of an airstrike on two bases of the Mojahedin [= People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran].

Two hours before noon were spent meeting with national figures who came to offer holiday greetings. Discussions were mainly focused on Iraq. Leftists criticized state media for what they described as biased coverage in favor of Iraq.

In the afternoon, Mr. Ali-Asghar Mervarid visited. He strongly insisted on supporting Iraq and abandoning a policy of neutrality. With my explanations, he was apparently convinced.

Military activity of the invaders in ground operations in Iraq has decreased, and Mohammad Saeed al-Sahhaf claims that they have retreated from the outskirts of Karbala and Najaf and that 150 tanks and armored vehicles have been destroyed or captured. There is talk of a one- to six-week pause in ground operations to bring in 120,000 new troops and design a new strategy, while bombing and missile attacks continue more intensely.

Robin Cook, the resigned British Foreign Secretary, has proposed that the British army withdraw from the war and stated that this war will create deep hatred among Muslims and Third World countries toward the West. Many other figures have made similar statements.

In Kuwait, a truck driver attacked American soldiers, injuring six people. In Afghanistan, there were attacks on U.S. forces with several killed. In Netanya, Israel, a suicide attack in a restaurant left 50 wounded and two dead. The United States labeled such attacks as terrorism. Amnesty International strongly condemned the United States for human rights violations, as well as 14 other countries for harsh treatment of anti-war protesters.

Iraqi forces have withdrawn from several defensive positions on the northern front, apparently to reduce vulnerability to U.S. attacks. The airstrike on the Mojahedin [Organization] base was confirmed.