Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - March 18, 2002 Meeting with Sheikh Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, Specially Appointed Prosecutor for Clergy, and Ayatollah Khamenei's Opposition to Lifting the House Arrest of Ayatollah Montazeri and Pardoning Sheikh Abdullah Nouri

Inauguration of the Northern Section of Line 1 of the Tehran Metro

Participation in a Meeting Invited by Ayatollah Khamenei and Listening to His Strong and Direct Remarks about a Possible U.S. Attack and Resistance, to the Extent that Even Sheikh Ali Meshkini Did Not Initially Understand the Purpose of the Meeting.

Meeting with Sheikh Mohammad Mohammadi Reyshahri and Consultation Regarding the Agenda of the Assembly of Experts and the Political Arena of the Country

Full Diary Text:

Yesterday, in Islamabad, Pakistan, an explosion occurred in a church near the U.S. embassy, killing five and injuring 45, three of whom were Americans. In Yemen, a grenade attack on the U.S. embassy took place without causing any casualties.

In Palestine, clashes continue, and Anthony Zinni, [U.S. special envoy to Israel and the Palestinian Authority], is trying to mediate an agreement between the two sides. A lot of pressure is being placed on [Israeli Prime Minister] Sharon. Demonstrations in support of the Palestinians have taken place in Jordan and many Islamic and Arab countries. In Spain, after the conclusion of the European summit, protests turned into riots.

In Bahrain, [U.S. Vice President] Dick Cheney had better luck than in other Arab countries. The Bahraini government stated that it might assist the U.S. in an attack on Iraq. George Bush has explicitly announced his intention to topple Saddam. So far, apart from the U.K., no other countries have agreed.

More details have emerged regarding the explosion at the Protestant church in Islamabad. The church was in a heavily guarded diplomatic residential area. The attacker detonated six grenades in an instant. The wife and daughter of a U.S. diplomat were among the dead, and most of the attendees were Westerners.

[Voice of] America radio quoted Bush’s remarks; he is very angry and ashamed, and once again, he is issuing threats. It’s clear that this attack is related to U.S. actions in Afghanistan, and Americans are at risk everywhere.

For the inauguration of the northern section of Line 1, we went from home to the Haqqani metro station. The current and former mayors, [members of] the city council, and many others were present. Madam Wu [Yi], Vice Premier of China, and her accompanying delegation were also there. Upon arrival, I greeted them and thanked them for their cooperation. She praised Iran’s constructive efforts and management. We visited several stations; they were quite impressive. They said it is among the most beautiful metro systems in the world, especially with the precious stones used in construction.

I unveiled the commemorative plaque. I did an interview on the train and beside it. Then, at the opening ceremony, I listened to reports from Mohsen [Hashemi, Chairman and CEO of Tehran Metro Company] and the welcoming speech from [Mohammad Hassan Malek-Madani], the mayor [of Tehran]. We gave out awards, and I delivered a lengthy speech, explaining the history and challenges of the metro project, particularly how the plan was canceled during the early years of the revolution due to negative propaganda from the left and how I worked to revive it.

We then went to the Leader’s office to respond to his invitation. Many officials were present. The President and the Leader spoke, mainly in response to U.S. threats, emphasizing resistance to a possible U.S. attack and rejecting any surrender. The Leader’s remarks were strong and direct. He clearly outlined the regime’s stance against the U.S. and opposed negotiations. Ayatollah [Ali] Meshkini, [Chairman of the Assembly of Experts], who was sitting next to me, said after hearing President Khatami’s speech, “I don’t understand the purpose of this meeting,” but the Leader’s speech clarified things for him.

I returned to my office, where I worked until the evening. In the afternoon, Mr. [Mohammad] Reyshahri, [the Supreme Leader's representative and head of the Iranian Hajj Organization], came. He reported on the Hajj ceremonies and asked me to think about the content of the Assembly of Experts' sessions. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s management.

Mr. [Gholamhossein] Mohseni Ejei, [head of the Special Clerical Court], came and said he had spoken with the Leader about lifting the house arrest of Ayatollah [Hossein Ali] Montazeri and pardoning Mr. Abdullah Nouri, [former Interior Minister], but the Leader opposed both. He criticized the judiciary’s management and the weaknesses of Mr. [Seyed Mahmoud] Hashemi Shahroudi, [the head of the judiciary], and his staff, and mentioned the possibility of Shahroudi becoming exhausted and giving up due to the pressures and lack of cooperation from others. He said that if the recent salary increases had not been implemented, the situation would have been dangerous. But because judges and staff are now better compensated, their morale has been maintained. I told him to reinstate Mr. Abdullah Nouri's weekly leave, which had recently been suspended.