Date: March 9, 2001 - Akbar Hashemi's Narrative on the Ministry of Intelligence's Opposition to Iran's Membership in the Nuclear Test Ban and Chemical Weapons Disarmament Convention

I spent the day at home studying the history, programs, and dangers associated with NATO and the international treaties on banning nuclear tests and chemical disarmament. The Ministry of Intelligence has expressed its view that Iran's membership is neither beneficial nor advisable, despite previously considering it appropriate to pursue comprehensive investigations, which led to our membership in such treaties.

In the afternoon, some of the kids gathered at the house. Tahereh, who had assisted Iffat before the revolution, visited with her eldest daughter, who is now a high school graduate. It had been a long time since we last saw her. They came to address a registration issue related to her husband’s family, Maleki, who had property in Evin that encountered legal complications. We were pleased to see them, and I gave them a gift. She mentioned that her husband’s casting workshop had closed down due to environmental concerns.

In Gaza today, the Israeli Defense Minister survived an assassination attempt by a Palestinian soldier while visiting a military center. The new Israeli government has announced its willingness to accept previous peace negotiation agreements and enter talks with the Palestinians, provided the intifada is halted first, which the Palestinians are unlikely to accept.

The United States has accused China of assisting Iraq in developing defense communications. In Ukraine, public pressure on the President is mounting, and it remains uncertain whether he can endure. At the borders of Macedonia, Albanian factions are attacking the Macedonian government, utilizing the demilitarized zone. They have established a presence there, and NATO has intervened in favor of the Macedonian government, allowing Yugoslav forces to occupy the buffer zone.