Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - October 1, 2000 - Akbar Hashemi's Account of Mohammad Khatami's Unexpected Trip to Cuba

• Key Events: The Infrastructure Commission of the Expediency Discernment Council convened to discuss the final approval of housing policies. Sheikh Ali Fallahian consulted with Hashemi regarding his position on attending the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Sixth Parliament.
• Khatami's Trip to Cuba: Hashemi noted the absence of significant reports from Khatami's visit to Cuba.
• Nuclear Waste Issue: Invitation for further explanation from Gholamreza Aghazadeh, head of the Atomic Energy Organization, regarding nuclear waste from the Bushehr power plant.

Full Diary Entry:

In the morning, the Infrastructure Commission of the [Expediency Discernment Council] held a meeting. The overall policies for the housing sector were discussed, focusing on changes since 1967.

In the afternoon, Mr. [Ali] Fallahian [former Minister of Intelligence] came to consult with me regarding his stance on attending the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Parliament, which has summoned him for explanations. He prefers not to attend and, instead, to make counterclaims against them. He provided extensive explanations about the positions of various groups and the past and present conditions of the Ministry of Intelligence.

In Palestine, clashes between the people and Israeli soldiers have intensified, resulting in the martyrdom of 15 individuals and injuries to 800 others. Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Khatami [the President] has traveled to Cuba, but there have been no significant reports regarding the negotiations. A Russian official stated that nuclear waste from the Bushehr power plant should be sent to Russia. It has been decided that Mr. [Gholamreza] Aghazadeh [the head of the Atomic Energy Organization] will come to provide explanations.

In Yugoslavia, opponents of [Slobodan] Milosevic [the President of Yugoslavia] continue their protests, and it has been reported that a request for asylum has been made for him to leave Yugoslavia. The European Union has been unable to reach an agreement on the supply of strategic oil reserves, and oil prices are declining. Last night and tonight, we had a light drizzle of rain in Jamaran.