Memories of Akbar Hashemi - October 7, 2000 - Meeting of the Expediency Discernment Council and Approval of Continuing Judicial Policies

• Formation of the Expediency Discernment Council Meeting to Approve Ongoing Judicial Policies and the Proposal to Transfer Responsibility of the Anti-Drug Headquarters from the Presidency to the Judiciary
• Meeting with Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, Minister of Oil, Regarding Development and Oil Projects, and Negotiations with Japan
• Meeting with Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization, to Discuss Important Projects and Foreign Negotiations
• Ongoing Tensions in Palestine and Their Parallel with Current Events

Full Text of the Daily Note:

The Expediency Discernment Council convened a meeting where several articles of the general judicial policies were approved. A proposal was made to transfer the responsibility of the Anti-Drug Headquarters from the President to the Head of the Judiciary, which was agreed to be discussed in structural reforms.

Mr. Bijan Namdar Zangeneh [the Minister of Oil] came by and mentioned that Japan is insisting on participating in oil development projects and is willing to provide billions in low-interest loans. In the afternoon, Mr. Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, the Head of the Atomic Energy Organization, visited and provided a report on significant projects. He noted that the United States has pressured Russia to cease its cooperation in the laser project, which Russia has currently suspended. He sought advice on handling policies and other domestic issues in light of American pressures on various projects.

In Serbia, Slobodan Milošević [the President of Yugoslavia] eventually capitulated. After his rival was announced as the new president, he retreated to hiding but emerged following a visit from the Russian Foreign Minister to Yugoslavia and congratulated his rival. Western governments announced their support for Vojislav Koštunica [the democratic opposition candidate in Serbia]. The U.S. stated that Milošević should be tried as a war criminal, effectively marking the last country in the Balkans' separation from the Eastern bloc.

The clashes between Palestinians and Israelis continued fiercely today, resulting in a death toll of 88. The conflict has spread to Lebanon, where Israel attacked southern Lebanon with helicopters and artillery, resulting in two deaths and 27 injuries. Hezbollah retaliated by attacking the Shebaa Farms and capturing three Israeli soldiers, announcing plans to exchange them for Lebanese prisoners held in Israel. Palestinian refugees residing in Lebanon also moved towards the southern border, engaging in protests and stone-throwing. The situation in southern Lebanon appears increasingly dangerous. Contrary to expectations, Israel evacuated the Tomb of Joseph in Nablus today, and opposition party members criticized Ehud Barak's government for this decision, while some parties supported it.