Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - June 20, 2001 - Formation of the Tehran Clergy Society Meeting and Hashemi's Reminder to Them to Reconsider Their Policies

Report on the Actions and Follow-up of Specific Defense Items by Majid Abbaspour and His Colleagues

Meeting with Reza Faghihi and Criticism of Export and Sales Policies in the Carpet Industry

Formation of the Tehran Clergy Society Meeting and Hashemi's Reminder to Them to Reconsider Their Policies

Full Text of the Daily Entry:

A group of special industry managers, along with Dr. Majid Abbaspour, [head of special industries at the Defense Industries Organization], came. They reported on the state of the industry; considering our accession to the [Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)] and the regular presence of international inspections. In my speech, I emphasized the importance of their work. Mr. Reza Faghihi and his uncle came and discussed the poor state of Iranian carpets and the stagnation of the industry, which is burdening traders and producers.

In the afternoon, members of the Combatant Clergy Society held a meeting in my office. We discussed the [presidential] elections and the issues that arose afterward. I mentioned that with these ideas and conditions, it is uncertain whether the right-wing faction can secure a majority of votes again.

Lieutenant General [Pervez] Musharraf in Pakistan has dismissed President [Muhammad Rafiq] Tarar and dissolved the two suspended assemblies, assuming the presidency while retaining his position as [Prime Minister], and has conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

American planes bombed an area west of Mosul today, killing 43 people and injuring 11. In Lebanon, a rift has emerged between [Rafiq] Hariri, the Prime Minister, and Hezbollah, and with the withdrawal of some Syrian forces, Hezbollah's position has weakened.

In Algeria, clashes and protests continue. In Afghanistan, Zahir Shah has been active in promoting unity and peace, while the ceasefire between Palestine and Israel is continually violated. In the Bulgarian elections, the former king's party - Simeon II - won with 42% of the votes, marking a victory for him after 56 years of exile; this signifies a defeat for the Marxist ideology.