Memories of Akbar Hashemi - May 17, 2002

Most of the time was spent studying the history between the decline of the Safavids and the beginning of the Qajar period - the conflict between the principalities and the akhbars in Iran, the Russo-Iranian War, the Great French Revolution, and the situation of the Ottoman Empire, Afghanistan, and India.

Today, until 8:00 PM, Hezbollah in Arak besieged the university, and the reinforcements were unable to leave.

Full text of the diary:

I was at home all day. Most of the time was spent studying the history between the decline of the Safavids and the beginning of the Qajar period - the political and religious conflicts in Iran, the Russo-Iranian War, the Great French Revolution, and the situation of the Ottoman state, Afghanistan, and India - to learn about the times in which Hajj Mullah Mahdi and Hajj Mullah Ahmad Naraqi lived. I am scheduled to attend a congress to commemorate them this weekend.

The children were gathered at noon. The discussion at the family gathering was about the false rumor of secret negotiations between one of my relatives and America, the incitement of the Khordadis and the counter-revolution, the official denial of my office, and the request to publish the document of the claim.

The media says that the issue of [George] Bush, [US President], being informed about the preparations for the events of September 11 and not following up on them is turning into a political crisis. [Dick Gephardt], the leader of the Democrats [in Congress], has severely criticized Bush.

In Afghanistan, American airplanes bombed a village in the south, killing 10 people and injuring many others. It seems that during a wedding celebration, there was firework and gunfire, and the American planes, which usually fly over the area, mistook it for a Taliban gathering. England announced that eight more of its soldiers in Afghanistan have contracted a dangerous and contagious disease, bringing the total to 36, including 18 others previously reported, which has led to a decline in the morale of Western soldiers. Media reports have stated that the fate of the Russian army in Afghanistan is repeating itself for the West.

The issues of Palestine remain at the top of the news; with another attack by Israel on Jenin. European governments express concern about the rapid rise of nationalist and far-right supporters. In Russia, there is also a growing wave of extreme nationalism.The Chinese government has strongly criticized the U.S. sanctions against several Chinese companies for selling weapons to Iran. The European Union is furious about America's trade policy and its subsidies for American products, as well as the heavy tariffs imposed on some imports, and is seeking retaliation.

Today, until 8:00 PM, Hezbollah Arak besieged the university and the Takhkims were unable to leave until Mr. [Ahmad] Mohseni Garkani, the Friday imam, personally arrived at the scene and at his request, Hezbollah dispersed. The Tehran University Student Mobilization has also issued a strong statement against the Unity Takhkim Office and the Ministry of Science for holding a deviant meeting at Tehran University.