Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - December 11, 2000 - Visit to Palestinian Injured Persons Following Recent Proposal to Hashemi with Ambassador Saleh Zawawi

Meeting with Leila Boroujerdi, Attorney and Member of the Secretariat, and Consultation on Jurisprudential Issues Related to Women's Hardship in Divorce

Meeting with Nematollah Qaderi, Former Ambassador of Iran to Tanzania, and Consultation on the Content of a Specialized Africa Publication

Meeting with Brigadier General Kiomars Abouei, Director General of the Anti-Drug Police, and Report on the Situation of the Police Force During His Tenure

Iftar with Ministers, Deputies, and Advisors of Hashemi's Government Along with Their Families

Full Entry of the Day:

Ms. Leila Boroujerdi, the granddaughter of Imam Khomeini and head of the Women and Youth Committee of the Expediency Council, visited. She shared her views on the issue of hardship in divorce, which has recently been referred to the council. She mentioned that in a recent speech for women, it was stated that the Imam is the center of the revolution, while Mr. Khamenei and Mr. Hashemi are regarded as the fathers of the revolution. Some have questioned why she did not mention Mr. [Seyed Mohammad] Khatami, to which she humorously replied that Mr. Khatami should also be considered a son-in-law of the revolution.

Mr. Nematollah Qaderi, our former ambassador to Tanzania, arrived and reported that he is working on Africa at the Foreign Ministry's Research Office. He presented the first issue of a magazine he has founded. He stated that attention to Africa has decreased under the current government and noted that many decisions made during your visit to Africa have been stalled. Recently, at a meeting of African ambassadors, there were complaints about the lack of attention to Africa, similar to the policies of the Reconstruction Era.

Mr. Kiomars Abouei, from the Anti-Drug Police, visited and presented his views on the law and structure of the drug fight, which is currently under discussion at the Expediency Council. He also reported on the status of smuggled goods, mentioning that decisions made during the Reconstruction government have resolved some issues, but the current government lacks the necessary attention to pursue this sector. He criticized the police chief for bringing in some commanders from the Revolutionary Guard, stating that it undermines the morale of deserving police forces.

Ministers, deputies, and advisors of my cabinet, along with their families, attended iftar at the presidential club. After iftar, I spoke briefly to welcome them. From there, we headed to Baqiyatollah Hospital to visit the Palestinian injured who recently arrived in Iran for treatment. I stopped beside each of the 14 beds and inquired about their well-being. Most of them had a companion. I asked questions about their jobs, education, and type of injuries. Their spirits were good, though several are paralyzed. They had spent some time in local hospitals without success. The doctors reported that their treatment situation was not satisfactory. I then conducted an interview with state television. Ambassador Saleh Zawawi was also present. I inquired about the overall status of the hospital, and they mentioned that with around 600 beds, all specialties, and an 80% occupancy rate, the situation is good.

In the U.S., the Federal Supreme Court overturned the Florida Supreme Court ruling regarding the manual recount of votes and requested time for both parties to issue a final ruling. The hopes of [George] Bush, the Republican nominee, have been reinforced, while [Al] Gore, the Democratic nominee, has intensified his efforts. Ehud Barak, the Prime Minister of Israel, has resigned, and various interpretations are emerging. The Palestinians regard this as a victory, although there are differing interpretations.