MRS. HASHEMI’S VISIT TO BAGHDAD CONFIRMED
PARIS 5 Aug. (IPS) Sources close to Mrs. Fa’ezeh Hashemi confirmed Sunday an Iran Press Service report that she had travelled secretly to Baghdad.
Quoting reliable sources with the former Tehran deputy, the newly launched internet web site "Emrooz" (Today) said while in the Iraqi Capital, Mrs. Hashemi had met with Mr. Hoda Saleh Ammash,a member of the ruling Iraqi Revolution Command, and not with Mr. Oda Hosey, the elder son of the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hoseyn, as reported by IPS.
Informed sources close to the outspoken Mrs. Hashemi, who is the younger daughter of the former president, Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, said she discussed the American possible attack on Iraq and the issue of women.
But the sources did not explain in which capacity or responsibility Mrs. Hashemi had talked with a senior Iraq official or what are the relations between the issue of women with that of American possible attack on Iraq?
IPS had said that Mrs. Fa’ezeh and Mr. Hoda had met to discuss the details about the forthcoming Muslim women sports competition, which are due to be held in Tehran, as Mrs. Hashemi is presiding over Iranian women’s sports activities wile the elder Hoseyn is the Chairman of Iraqi Olympic and sports Committee.
As a female MM (Member of the Majles) and owner of a successful newspaper named "Zan" (Woman), Mrs. Hashemi would irritate conservative mullahs and lawmakers with her aggressive speeches, modern, dynamic living style and western behaviours.
Eventually, her newspaper was shut on April 1999 on order of the Judiciary after publishing a New Year message from Ms. Farah Pahlavi-Diba, the former Iranian Empress.
Mrs. Hashemi was in Baghdad at almost the same time that Mr. Saddam’s younger son, Qosa, had came secretly to Tehran to demand Iranian help, in case American threats against his country becomes more serious.
Iran had rejected any military assistance, but agreed to send food, medicine and other humanitarian stuff. ENDS FA’EZEH IN BAGHDAD 5802