Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 30, 2003

Many heads of state and officials from various countries and international organizations condemned the assassination of Ayatollah [Seyyed Mohammad Baqir] Hakim and the worshippers in Najaf. In Iran, the wave of condemnations continues. I also issued a statement of condemnation. The number of martyrs has been reported as 125, with over 200 wounded, and the body of Mr. Hakim has not yet been recovered. One report mentioned that one of his hands has been found. It is said that 700 kilograms of explosives were used, and two other car bombs were discovered in the vicinity. Four individuals have been arrested who, through their confessions, have identified themselves as members of Al-Qaeda.

Mr. [Ali] Mobinii, [Secretary of the Special Commission for Drafting the National Vision], came to see me. He had questions regarding the discussions on the Vision and the policies of the Fourth Development Plan being raised in the special commission. They believe that the government has deliberately brought the general policies of the Vision along with the policies of the Plan, because they do not believe that the Leader should also approve the Plan's policies, since they are temporary.

Mr. [Hossein] Alaei, the official in charge of the construction of the Tehran Grand Prayer Grounds (Mosalla), came. We discussed how the Friday Prayer [Tehran] headquarters would be present at the Mosalla and their responsibilities; there are disagreements. It is planned that during the month of Ramadan, Friday prayers will be moved from the University of Tehran to the Mosalla. The Leader's view is that the university should not be entirely abandoned, and that Friday prayers should be held alternately at both locations.

Mr. Jassem Shadidzadeh, the representative of Ahvaz, came. He provided justifications for his ethnic positions and criticized his non-Arab rivals and non-Arab representatives of Khuzestan.

In the evening, Mr. [Mohammad] Sattarifar, the head of the Management and Planning Organization, came along with his deputies [Messrs. Baradaran-e Shorka and Shafiq]. They gave explanations regarding the [Vision] document and its policies. They emphasized globalization and a culture of production, and they were concerned that the Leader might oppose them. I asked questions regarding per capita income, which they could not answer. Less attention has also been paid to the quantitative goals.

I stayed in my office at night. In Afghanistan, clashes continue in the south. Mr. [Javier] Solana, the European Union's foreign policy chief, is in Iran. He has arrogantly warned Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad Khatami], the President, and [Kamal Kharrazi], the Minister of Foreign Affairs, about the consequences of not signing the Additional Protocol, and has stated that if Iran does not sign unconditionally, it will face dangerous consequences.