Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - June 4, 2001 - Attendance at the Commemoration of Imam's Passing at the Mausoleum

Attendance at the commemoration of the Imam's passing at the mausoleum / Damage to a bus carrying Iranian pilgrims in Syria resulting in six deaths.

I went to the mausoleum for the commemoration of the Imam's passing. The leader gave a lengthy speech, and the crowd was substantial. I traveled back and forth by helicopter. I spent the rest of the time reading bulletins. It was announced that the Crown Prince of Nepal, who had been injured, had passed away, and doubts surrounding the shooter had caused unrest and turmoil in Nepal, leading to a state of emergency being declared. Initially, it was said that Crown Prince Dipendra was the shooter, but later doubts arose.

The U.S. has launched extensive efforts to renew negotiations between Israel and Palestine to prevent further crises for Israel. [Ariel] Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel, has been deterred from retaliatory actions, and [Yasser] Arafat, the President of the Palestinian Authority, has also been compelled to announce a ceasefire, but the Palestinian people do not accept it.

Unfortunately, a bus carrying Iranian pilgrims was damaged in Syria, resulting in six deaths and 45 injuries.