Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – September 8, 2003

The Assembly of Experts had sessions in the morning and evening. I also gave an extensive speech about the functionality of the Islamic system. This is because the enemies of the revolution and Islam are trying to question the efficacy of Islam in today's society.

At night, the members of the Assembly of Experts were my guests, during which Mr. Mohammad Ali Tashkiri, the head of the World Forum for the Promotion of Peaceful Coexistence among Islamic Schools of Thought, reported on his trip to Iraq for the funeral ceremony of Mr. Seyyed Mohammad Baqer Hakim, which was carried out on behalf of the Leader. He said that the Americans, under control and escorted by personnel carriers and helicopters, had taken them from the border to Najaf for eight hours, and that insecurity in Iraq, especially in Najaf, is severe. Mr. Hakim's body was not found because it had been disintegrated. The doors of the shrine were also damaged, and the roof of Mr. Hakim's car was thrown into the courtyard of the shrine of Imam Ali (AS) due to the explosion, killing two people. Some clerics are criticizing Muqtada al-Sadr.

Mr. Rahim Mohammadi, the representative of Ilam, said that the governor of Badra, Iraq, who had come to Ilam, had predicted before the Najaf incident that an attack on the clerics would soon begin. Dr. Hassan Rouhani, the representative of Tehran and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, explained the issue of the Additional Protocol.

Mr. Mohammad Reza Rahimi, the former governor of Kurdistan, came. He brought documents regarding the judiciary's abuse in the lands around Evin Prison and insisted on my return to the presidency. Mr. Seyyed Mohammad Mir-Mohammadi, the representative of Qom, came and said he would not be a candidate in the Qom elections and sought assistance for the Islamic Civilization Party.

George Bush, the President of the United States, said in a speech that his campaign against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction continues. He has requested an additional 78 billion dollar budget for the continued occupation of Iraq, which has been opposed by Democrats. In the UN Security Council, opposition to the US plan is serious, and opponents are demanding a central role for the UN in the administration of Iraq. The US expects to gain military and financial assistance from other countries through this resolution.

In Vienna, at the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the discussion about Iran's nuclear program is heated, and the US is trying to have at least one resolution issued against Iran; although they have backed down from referring Iran's case to the Security Council due to the opposition of the Non-Aligned Movement. Dr. Hassan Rouhani says that the likelihood of a resolution being issued is not low.

Ahmed Qurei, the head of the Palestinian Parliament, accepted the position of Prime Minister and called on the US and Israel to cooperate in reaching peace.