Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - January 1, 2001 - Meeting with Brigadier General Mohammad Fallah, the then Secretary of the Anti-Drug Headquarters, Accompanied by Two Officials from the Ministry of Intelligence

Meeting with Brigadier General Mohammad Fallah, the then Secretary of the Anti-Drug Headquarters, along with two officials related to drug control in the Ministry of Intelligence. Hashemi does not name them in today’s entry and reports on the unsuccessful status of drug control efforts and part of the cooperation with the Taliban.

Meeting with Isa Kalantari, Minister of Agriculture, and an Invitation to Commence Operations at the Khuzestan Sugarcane Units, Acknowledging Sample Farmers.

Interview with Lebanese Sadek Al-Husseini.

Complete Daily Entry:

Mr. [Mohammad] Fallah, the Secretary of the Anti-Drug Headquarters, arrived with two officials from the [Ministry of] Intelligence. They provided a report on the unsuccessful status of drug control and the associated insecurities, stating that in negotiations with the Taliban, they have successfully obtained a directive from the Taliban leader to prevent opium poppy cultivation. A group from Iran has gone to Helmand and observed the cessation of poppy cultivation and the planting of corn instead. However, since the Taliban expected a reduction in sanctions against them, which have instead increased, there is a possibility that their directive may be revoked. The Western countries have not provided any assistance contrary to the promises made to Iran. They suggested closer relations with the Taliban and not combating drug transit, which I pointed out the flaws in.

Dr. [Isa] Kalantari, the Minister of Agriculture, came and requested that I visit Khuzestan to start operations at one of the sugarcane units in Ahvaz. He does not anticipate being in charge of the ministry after the legal merger of the Ministries of Jihad and Agriculture. Sample farmers were present, and the Minister of Agriculture and one of them provided reports. I awarded certificates of appreciation to twenty of them and discussed ways to enhance agriculture, such as water management, drip irrigation, increased investment, scientific approaches to agriculture in line with market prices, finding export markets, and timely provision of inputs. In the evening, I had an interview with Mr. Sadek Al-Husseini from Lebanon, who is preparing a book.