Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – July 1, 2003

The Palestinian Mujahideen groups have officially announced their agreement to suspend military operations against Israel for a period of three months, conditional on the withdrawal of Israeli forces, an end to attacks on the Palestinian people, the release of prisoners, and the lifting of the siege on Yasser Arafat. In response, Israeli forces have withdrawn from northern Gaza and are scheduled to withdraw from the West Bank tomorrow, though Israel is not attaching importance to these declarations.

We went to the Air Force Headquarters for the Research Festival ceremony. I visited the research exhibition. In the amphitheater, we heard the report of Amir Seyyed Reza Pardis, the Air Force Commander, and his deputy. Certificates of appreciation were awarded, and I gave a speech on the importance of defense research, the role of the military, and America's weaknesses in Iraq.

I went to the office. Mr. Alireza Dabir, a world wrestling champion, came. He had participated in a land auction at the Executive Headquarters; he sought assistance. He is leaving for a competition in the United States. Mr. Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, the oil minister, came. He gave a report on important projects to be completed by the end of the year 1383 (2004), as well as Japan's violation regarding the Azadegan oil field , and proposed that we enter into direct negotiations with the United States to take advantage of reconstruction opportunities.

In the evening, the Central Council of the Combatant Clergy Association held a meeting in my office. They passed a resolution on how to participate in the parliamentary elections and the current conditions.

At night, I was a guest of the Supreme Leader. His health was not good. He was upset about the recent riots and the poison-spreading of the Second of Khordad newspapers and some parliamentarians, and complained about the inaction of the Ministry of Information, asking me to advise the Minister of Information, Mr. Ali Younesi. He was also not satisfied with the visit of Jack Straw, the British Foreign Secretary, to Iran.

In Iraq, last night the Americans fired rockets at a mosque in Fallujah; there were 20 killed and many wounded. There were several attacks on American forces in Baghdad, resulting in three deaths and many wounded. In Afghanistan, military clashes between the Taliban and government forces in Zabul province have expanded.