Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's Memoirs - October 23, 1999 The negotiations between Russia and the United States over missile defense production have not reached a conclusion.

We were in Latian. The day was spent reading and resting. I played ping pong with Fatemeh and lost.

After some hesitation and back-and-forth discussions, France and Iran announced the date for President [Seyyed Mohammad] Khatami’s visit to France. Iranian opposition groups abroad, along with some international human rights organizations, have launched extensive propaganda against Mr. Khatami and Iran, with plans to disrupt the visit.

In Pakistan, the military government has begun appointing military figures to key civilian posts. In Turkey, following the assassination of a secular figure, [Ahmet Taner Kışlalı], [a columnist for Cumhuriyet], there has been propaganda against Iran. Three Iranians were detained at the airport, interrogated, subjected to negative media coverage, and later released.

Negotiations between Russia and the United States over missile defense production have stalled. The U.S. is attempting to amend the advanced arms limitation treaty with Russia by constructing a highly advanced missile defense system, reminiscent of the Star Wars project, but Russia is opposed.