Memories of Akbar Hashemi - February 23, 2002 - Continued Political Disputes Against the Judiciary and Its Indifference, Ongoing Arrests and Trials of Political and Press Activists

Medical Examinations of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Continued Political Disputes Against the Judiciary and Its Indifference, Ongoing Arrests and Trials of Political and Press Activists

Full Text of the Daily Journal:

We went to Shahid Rajaei Heart Hospital for a check-up. Iffat and Faezah were also present. The examinations included blood pressure checks, assessments of the ears, nose, and throat, blood sugar tests, ultrasound scans of the bladder, prostate, liver, pancreas, and kidneys, as well as throat, ear, nose, and lung examinations, culminating in a gastroscopy performed by doctors Shahin Azizi, Mohammad Sohrabi, Mohammad Borqai, and Hassan Radmehr, directed by Dr. Ahmad Milani Nia, which took until noon; all results were good. I am taking medication for stomach pressure and to manage my blood sugar. Interestingly, my prostate has shrunk compared to last year, from 64 to 57, which is quite rare. Iffat also had examinations done; we provided blood and urine samples for testing.

I went to the Koshk office in the afternoon. I felt a bit weak from the anesthesia for the gastroscopy. Fati and Ali also came. The afternoon and evening were spent studying, including reviewing the draft of the book “Palestine and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani,” which is based on my works concerning Palestine. Political disputes and the dissemination of statements against the judiciary continue, and the judiciary is proceeding with summonses and trials of troublesome individuals without regard for the pressures.

In Turkey, following the news of a dispute between the President and the Prime Minister, the country's economy faced a crisis, and stock prices on Turkish exchanges dropped by up to 18%, with accelerated capital outflows. It was reported that this disagreement has caused a $5 billion loss to the country's economy within two days. Additionally, it was announced that the currency would be floated, and it is anticipated that the already weak Turkish lira will further depreciate. The economic foundation of Turkey is so fragile that it suffers severe shocks from such events.

The U.S. bombed northern Iraq again tonight as a continuation of its pressure policy against Saddam. In Japan, significant pressure is being placed on [Yoshiro Mori], the Prime Minister, to resign, ostensibly due to inadequate action following the sinking of a Japanese ship by an American submarine near Hawaii and the disappearance of nine people.