Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – May 20, 2003

I went to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) for the awards ceremony announcing the results of the essay competition on the "Year of Husayni Honor and Dignity." I presented the awards. Messrs. [Ali] Larijani, [the Head of the IRIB], and [Ali-Akbar] Ashari, [the Advisor to the IRIB], gave reports. I delivered a speech regarding the distinct virtues of Imam Husayn (as), how he serves as a model for Muslims, and the flaws in America's actions in Iraq and the region. Mr. Larijani expressed his distress over the behavior of the members of Parliament regarding the investigation and parliamentary probe [into the IRIB] and said they handled it politically.

I went to my office. Mr. [Ahmad] Toyserkani, the deputy of the General Inspection Organization, came. He gave a report on the inspections and had a question regarding the work of Dr. [Mehdi] Akbarzadeh, [the Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture].

In the afternoon, there was a meeting at the Leader's office regarding the U.S. claim about the presence of individuals from al-Qaeda in Iran, about which the U.S., the UK, and Saudi Arabia have sent messages and demanded that we provide them with their information—and there is also a sort of threat in the American message. It was decided that, on the assumption that any trace of them is found, a reciprocal demand should be made regarding the Monafeqin [= Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization], who are in the possession of the U.S. It was decided to discuss this matter with the UK and Saudi Arabia.

Commander [Qasem] Soleimani, [the Commander of the IRGC Quds Force], came. He said that the United States itself is the root cause of the insecurity and problems in Iraq and wants the people's patience to be completely exhausted so that they willingly accept American intervention. He believes that the U.S. has made a deal with a segment of the Ba'ath army leaders who did not cooperate with Saddam, and that Syria has expelled Saddam's children and Tariq Aziz from its country.

At night, I was the guest of the Leader. We discussed the potential reactions of the Participation Front members (Mosharekati-ha) and others to the rejection of the twin bills, the situation in Iraq and the U.S., the readiness of the military forces, etc.

Today, an American helicopter crashed around Karbala, killing five military personnel. Iraqi government employees staged protests demanding three months of overdue salaries. Oil workers gathered to protest the employment of Ba'athist elements in oil management positions, and a group also held demonstrations opposing the leadership of Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad Baqir] Hakim, carrying photos of Muqtada al-Sadr.

In Sri Lanka, the death toll exceeded 300, and the number of missing persons [from the floods and landslides] passed 500. In Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, [the Head of the Interim Administration], gathered a group of governors and demanded, under threat, that they hand over revenues to the central treasury, which they accepted.