Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - August 1, 2000 - Meeting with Seyyed Ahmad Mousavi and Criticism of Ayatollah Khamenei's Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Regarding Lebanon Affairs

Meeting with Australian Foreign Minister

Meeting with Hazem Faripour and Officials of the Etrat Educational and Research Institute and a Report on Their Activities

Telephone Call with Sheikh Abdullah Nouri After His Hospitalization and Temporary Leave from Prison

The Australian Foreign Minister came. Our discussions focused on developing relations at a favorable level. Issues of human rights, the trial of Jewish spies, and relations with the United States were also raised. He had questions about the position of the [Expediency Council], and I expressed my surprise at the fact that the British Queen holds supreme authority over Australia and that the majority of people voted for it. I also criticized the U.S. for interfering in Iran's internal affairs.

A group from the [Etrat Educational and Research Institute] came. They said [Mr. Hazem Faripour], the head of the institute, was a gifted student. The institute was established in the early years of the revolution with my support through the Foundation of the Oppressed, and they are involved in economic and production activities, particularly in producing educational equipment for schools and auto parts. They are facing liquidity problems and sought assistance. They hope I can help again, considering the promising start of the year. I suggested they write a letter, and I would refer it to an appropriate place.

In the afternoon, Mr. Seyyed Ahmad Mousavi, [advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs], came. He expressed dissatisfaction with the Office of the Leader and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their handling of matters related to Lebanon, saying that everything is handed over to Hezbollah. He mentioned asking Mr. Nasrallah to try to clarify the fate of his brother and his companions.

In the evening, Fa’ezeh [my daughter] came to prepare dinner and mentioned that the founding board of the [Executives of Construction Party] had decided to hold the party’s congress. I made a phone call to Mr. Abdullah Nouri [former Minister of the Interior and editor-in-chief of the daily Khordad], who was on leave after being hospitalized. He said his hand still has little sensation, but it no longer hurts. Mohsen, who had visited him at home, arranged the phone call.

Hezbollah Lebanon has responded to U.S. threats that if the Palestinian Authority declares the State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital unilaterally, the U.S. will move its embassy to Jerusalem. Hezbollah has threatened to destroy the U.S. embassy if that happens, and American bodies will be sent back to the U.S. The U.S. has made a lot of noise about this and has asked its allies to condemn these statements.

The U.S. Congress has introduced a bill that would allow the use of frozen assets of foreign governments in the U.S. to pay compensation to victims of state-sponsored terrorism; it seems their target is Iran and Cuba. Russia’s special envoy on the legal regime of the Caspian Sea has made an unexpectedly direct statement opposing Iran’s position on the coastal states’ share.