Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - January 2, 2003

My brother Mohammad said that the Kargozaran [Construction Party] has decided to provide an independent list for the City Council elections and they want to include Mr. [Gholamhossein] Karbaschi on the list; however, he thinks the Leadership [Ayatollah Khamenei] might not agree with his participation and asked me to help resolve this issue. Coincidentally, Mr. [Ali] Aghamohammadi had asked the same of me yesterday. The Right-wing faction is also trying to pit the Kargozaran against the Mosharekat [Participation] Party. Previously, Mr. [Ali] Larijani [Head of IRIB] had suggested such a situation for the parliamentary elections as well; they hope to achieve results by turning the election into a three-way contest. The Guardian Council and the Presidium of the Parliament had a meeting to reach an agreement, but their initial remarks after the meeting indicate a lack of consensus.

Full Text of the Diary:

Most of the time was spent studying. I was at the Koushk office until 4:00 PM. My brother Mohammad [Chairman of the Central Council of the Kargozaran Construction Party] came by. He said that the Kargozaran have decided to submit an independent list for the City Council elections and want to include Mr. [Gholamhossein] Karbaschi on the list; however, he thinks the Leadership may not favor his participation and asked me for help in resolving this problem. Coincidentally, Mr. [Ali] Aghamohammadi had asked me for the same thing yesterday. The Right-wing faction is also attempting to position the Kargozaran against the Mosharekat Party. Previously, Mr. [Ali] Larijani [Head of the IRIB] had proposed such a scenario for the parliamentary elections as well; they hope to gain results by dividing the election into three currents. The Guardian Council and the Parliamentary Presidium held a meeting to reach an understanding, but their initial statements after the meeting show a lack of agreement.

Mr. [Javad] Maghsoudi from the [Tehran] Friday Prayer Headquarters suggested that I attend the Friday prayer next week instead of tomorrow, as they have a special program where it is appropriate for me to be present. I said if no other Friday Imam accepts [the slot], I have no objection. Later, he said Mr. [Mohammad] Yazdi had accepted.

Mr. [Ali] Larijani requested by phone that I attend the opening of a conference they are holding in Chabahar. I said I would consider it. He mentioned there is evidence of a behind-the-scenes agreement forming for Saddam to step down and be given guarantees, resolving the Iraq issue without war. Statements from Russia, Westerners, and [George W.] Bush also point to this. On the other hand, orders for more military forces to move to the region and the arrival of a mass of war correspondents in Kuwait present a different situation. It seems the Westerners' concern is more about the economic crisis currently engulfing most industrial countries' economies, with only China having had a flourishing economy in 2002.

In Afghanistan, four Americans have been killed and an unmanned spy drone was shot down; there was also a clash on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border where an American was wounded. In the US, demonstrations were held against [George W.] Bush's war policies; people were shouting while beating drums that if Bush does not hear the voices of humans, he should hear the sound of the drums.

Two small islands in the South Pacific with a population of several thousand have been hit by an unprecedented storm, and their communication with the outside world has been cut off. On the island of Sicily [Italy], the activation of a volcano has caused significant damage.

In Kenya, after 25 years, a new president from the opposition Rainbow Party has won. In Brazil, [Luiz da Silva], a leftist politician who was a worker, has won, and [Fidel] Castro [Leader of Cuba] and [Hugo] Chavez [President of Venezuela] attended his swearing-in ceremony, causing concern for the United States.