Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - December 5, 2000 - Meeting with Manouchehr Ghorey, CEO of Iran Khodro

Meeting with Salah Al-Zawawi, the then Ambassador of Palestine in Tehran, and Political Consultations

Visit by Managers of the Ministry of Jihad-e Agriculture and Concerns About the Merger of the Ministry of Agriculture and Jihad-e Agriculture, Including Mohammad Taghi Amanpour's Proposal for the Ministry

Full Entry of the Day:

Salah Al-Zawawi, the Ambassador of Palestine, visited and provided insights regarding the situation in Palestine. He stated that during the last Camp David meeting, it became clear that the United States and Israel were not willing to grant concessions regarding the return of refugees, the status of Jerusalem, and the removal of settlers. The issue of Jerusalem was particularly sensitive, with the U.S. proposing that the upper levels be under Arab control while the underground area of Jerusalem would belong to Israel, aimed at constructing the Temple of Solomon underground. Palestine was on the brink of an explosion when Ariel Sharon, the former Prime Minister of Israel, visited Al-Aqsa Mosque, triggering the outbreak of violence. This time, all Palestinian factions are united in the intifada, differing from the previous one as the Palestinian people are armed and Israel faces a distinct autonomous region from which they can use tanks, helicopters, and aircraft, something they could not do in the past due to the occupation.

Al-Zawawi noted that just as the official Israeli coins (EGORON) depict the map of biblical Israel, Israel continues to pursue the concept of a Greater Israel (from the Euphrates to the Nile) and views the peace negotiations and autonomy as merely a transitional phase. He emphasized that this time, the intifada would not be halted, and the Islamic world must prepare for serious and practical actions.

A group of managers from the Ministry of Jihad-e Agriculture arrived and expressed their concerns about the fate of Jihad if merged with the Ministry of Agriculture as currently proposed in Parliament. They insisted that the new minister of the merged ministry should at least have a Jihad background, proposing Mohammad Taghi Amanpour, the Deputy for Research in the Ministry of Jihad-e Agriculture. I stated that I opposed the merger as a principle.

Manouchehr Ghorey, the CEO of Iran Khodro, came and reported on the company's status. He mentioned the readiness of the national car, Samand, which was initiated during my executive tenure, and requested a visit. The right-wing faction's attacks on President Mohammad Khatami regarding demands for greater powers continue.