Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - January 3, 2001 - Meeting with Hassan Vahedi and Report on His Trip to Russia and Introduction of His Written Works

Meeting with Hassan Vahedi, along with a report on his trip to Russia and the introduction of his written works.

Meeting with the Board of Directors of the Ghadir Housing Cooperative and a report on their construction activities.

Complete Daily Entry:

Mr. Hassan Vahedi, [an expert at the Supreme National Security Council secretariat], came to visit. He brought three new books, one of which discusses the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union, relating to the Leader's statements and comparing the Soviet situation with America's plans for Iran. He traveled to Russia and interviewed several officials, including Mr. [Mikhail] Gorbachev, [the last leader of the Soviet Union]. He shared some points regarding the diversionary programs of the second-Khordad faction, and I provided some reminders. Fatemeh also came, and discussions regarding family matters took place.

In the evening, the Board of Directors of the Ghadir Cooperative [in the Pardisan complex] visited. They expressed gratitude for my previous assistance, which enabled them to build over 600 homes in the West Town for veterans, particularly those from the Air Force. They requested my help with an issue regarding a plot of land within their cooperative, where they had initiated recreational programs that have led to corruption and a negative reputation for the area. They asked that the land be made available to the cooperative. Some of them were pilots from the war, and one was a former commander of the Shiraz Air Base.

Yesterday, an explosion occurred in northern Tel Aviv, injuring 54 people, and the son of a leader of one of the Zionist factions was killed in a separate operation. The Israeli cabinet held an emergency meeting and ordered increased pressure on the Palestinians, with [Ehud] Barak, [the Prime Minister of Israel], indicating to army commanders that the situation smells of war. They have tightened the siege of the West Bank and Gaza, while [Yasser] Arafat, [the President of the Palestinian Authority], has traveled to America at Clinton's request to pursue the peace process.

Negative and unfriendly statements from officials of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries against Iran have increased following the recent meeting and the poor statement, which has further strained relations. The Board of Directors of the [Assembly of Experts] met in my office at noon to make decisions regarding the timing and agenda for the upcoming session.