Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 24, 2003

Yesterday, Mr. Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's representative at the International Atomic Energy Agency, gave a report to the Agency about the nuclear operations after the revolution and answers to 24 questions from the Agency, and one must wait to see to what extent it convinces them, or whether they will find a new pretext.

The donor conference for the reconstruction of Iraq in Madrid, with the participation of more than 70 countries, completed its first day. It was formed based on the recent resolution of the UN Security Council. A proposal of 55 billion dollars in aid was made. It is intended that the generous amount from Japan and the World Bank play the role of the decoy pigeon for the pigeon catchers, as a cover for the pigeons. Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General, said at the start of the meeting that Iraq cannot wait for the formation of an elected government and reconstruction must begin sooner.

But the report of a private organization in Britain called Christian Aid about the five billion dollars of Iraqi oil money that was in the hands of the occupiers and the Governing Council has created serious doubts about its embezzlement and has made the work difficult.

The contents of Donald Rumsfeld's notes about the fight against terrorism, which show the failure of the fight, have put America in difficulty. Yesterday Rumsfeld tried to convince the journalists that it was not an admission of defeat. Simultaneously, using the anniversary of the bombing of the American military headquarters in Beirut and the killing of 240 Americans, they are propagandizing for George Bush's aggressive policy.

The Saudis announced that in recent months they have arrested more than 600 people on terrorism charges. During yesterday's demonstrations in three cities of Saudi Arabia, held at the request of Islamic Jihad, a large number of people were arrested.

In Afghanistan, preliminary measures regarding the collection of weapons and the disarmament of the jihadi groups have begun, but they face many problems.

Bush, the US President, after a ten-day trip to six Asian countries and facing demonstrations and protests, stopped in Hawaii on the way back. At Pearl Harbor, which was surprised and bombed by Japan during World War II, he visited the remnants of the war and the destroyed ship. He visited the warships that have returned from Iraq and participated in a meeting to collect donations for the elections.

At today's Friday prayers, I did not say anything about the Additional Protocol, even though it was expected that I would speak. Because the outcome of the matter is not clear, and I myself do not agree with the suspension of enrichment, and also because of certain questions that have not been answered. After the Friday prayers in Tehran, Qom, Karaj, and elsewhere, marches were held against accepting the Additional Protocol and against compromise. Some Friday prayer leaders also objected. My silence has also become the basis for various interpretations in the news agencies.

The Madrid meeting for collecting aid for Iraq ended. Much less than the amount expected by America was proposed in aid.