Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - March 16, 2000 - Akbar Hashemi's account of the extensive exploitation by reformists of the assassination of Saeed Hajarian

Meeting with the family of Brigadier General Yousef Reza Abolfathi, the then commander of the police district in Fars, and their appeal to Hashemi to investigate the possibility of pilot error.

Discussions with Sheikh Ghorbanali Dori Najafabadi.

Participation in the memorial ceremony for Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini.

Akbar Hashemi's account of the extensive exploitation by reformists of the assassination of Saeed Hajarian.

I arrived at my office at nine-thirty in the morning. The announcement of a ban on political gatherings and demonstrations in Pakistan has caught the attention of international observers. Two brothers, two sons, two daughters, and the wife of Brigadier Abolfathi came. He had recently been martyred in Shiraz due to a helicopter crash. I expressed my condolences, inquired about their well-being, and offered them gifts. He was a valuable commander; according to one of his injured companions, he had woken up five minutes before the helicopter crash and said he had seen martyr [Ali] Sayyad Shirazi in his dream, who told him, "You are my guest tonight." They suspect that the pilot was at fault and wish for an investigation.

Mr. [Ghorbanali] Dori Najafabadi came. He suggested that some thought be given to strengthening institutions like the Guardian Council, the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, the judiciary, etc., and he mentioned examples of weaknesses within the Guardian Council. We discussed the unfavorable situation of the press and possible solutions.

In the evening, I went to Imam Khomeini's shrine. At the memorial ceremony for Hajj Ahmad Agha [Khomeini], I delivered a speech about the strength of the revolution and the struggle between right and wrong, as well as the heavy onslaught from enemies during Imam's year.

Yesterday, America passed a resolution in Congress giving the President authority to cut aid to countries that contribute to rising oil prices. The Americans have stated that tomorrow [Madeline Albright], the U.S. Secretary of State, will announce significant developments regarding changes in U.S. policy toward Iran in a positive direction. Although Mr. [Bill] Clinton has signed a resolution in Congress regarding sanctions against Russia's cooperation with Iran, they had previously indicated that it might be vetoed.

Heavy propaganda centered around the assassination of Mr. [Saeed] Hajarian against Mr. [Mohammad Taqi] Mesbah [Yazdi] and conservatives continues. BBC Radio last night quoted [Mohammad] Salamatiyan, providing an analysis interpreting the leadership's statement regarding Hajarian's assassination as a reactive measure due to fear of public opinion, calling for real concessions from leadership for Mr. Khatami; such as full authority for law enforcement forces, etc. This analysis is likely coordinated with some elements within the internal Second Khordad movement.