Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – April 16, 1993

After prayer, breakfast, and reading reports and news, we went to the telecommunications center. Several telephone development centers in the province were inaugurated simultaneously. After listening to the managers' reports and encouraging them, I emphasized the importance of the telephone's role in development in a short speech.

From there, we went to Shahid Bahonar University to join academics and educators. The university president and the director general of education gave very detailed reports. I also explained the cultural, educational, and research policies in the first and second plans in even greater detail. Then we went to Islamic Azad University and only visited the buildings and equipment. The university president provided explanations along the way. In total, we have more than 30,000 students in Kerman province, which is a good ratio; of this number, about 40% are in the Azad sector and 60% are in the state sector. I asked a group of female students who had gathered near the helicopter about the condition of the dormitory, studies, food, and tuition, and they expressed satisfaction.

From there, we flew to the Sarcheshmeh [Copper Company]. On the way, the governor gave explanations about the rivers that flow from Bardsir toward Rafsanjan during the rainy season, as well as the Baghin agribusiness.

At the Sarcheshmeh mine, managers gave explanations about the production process and the reforms carried out; the production situation is not bad, but it is less than the nominal capacity. We visited the refinery for converting anode copper to cathode, and I learned new points. We also visited the casting line. Contrary to the schedule, we went to the residential area. The people had formed a large gathering along the way and in front of the restaurant around the large hall and were unwilling to leave. After prayer and lunch, I spoke to the people in the square and in the hall.

Mr. [Hossein] Mahlouji, [Minister of Mines and Metals], reported on the copper situation, and Mr. Ansari, the father of a martyr, city preacher, and head of the Martyrs Foundation office of the county, gave explanations about the situation of martyrs' families during lunch. He mentioned the problems and expressed satisfaction with the increase in credits.

From there, we flew to Shahr-e Babak. On the way, the governor reported on the Khatunabad plain of Shahr-e Babak, where drilling wells has been prohibited to provide for the future water needs of the copper industry. In Shahr-e Babak, the helicopters landed near the stadium at the public gathering site. It was planned that we would first inaugurate the newly established Justice Department building, but due to the density of the crowd under the sun, we reconsidered, and this task was assigned to Mr. [Esmail] Shooshtari, the Minister of Justice. The gathering was very massive and organized. The Friday Imam was also stuck in a traffic jam and arrived late. The governor and the representative gave welcome speeches and raised their demands. I also gave a warm and hopeful speech. The predominant occupation of the people is agriculture, and they lack significant industry. They want gas, industries, and a university.

Immediately, we flew toward the Miduk mine. It was intended that we visit from the air, but at Mr. Mahlouji's insistence, we landed. It turned out they had a prior plan; unveiling the start of excavation operations at the mine, which had actually started before. They have not yet decided where to build the copper extraction factory; in the Khatun plain, or back in Sarcheshmeh; I emphasized continuing the work, which is not without doubt.

We flew toward Rafsanjan. We landed next to the city's large park and at the site of the cultural center under construction. A large crowd had gathered there. The daughters of martyrs sang a very interesting anthem and performed it in an innovative way and showered the path with flowers. I unveiled the commemorative plaque. It is planned that my scientific and cultural works will also be kept there. Dr. Bahrampour, [President of Vali-e-Asr University], made this request of me right there, and I accepted; they had already made arrangements with Mohsen.

The rush of the crowd to express their feelings disrupted the program and blocked the way, and the situation went out of the hands of the guards and police. We tried for a while to leave there, but it was not possible. At the same time, people were waiting in the streets and the city stadium. With difficulty, we reached the helicopter by car and landed next to the stadium. They had decorated the stadium very well. They had very large and innovative anthem groups. The gathering was drowned in joy and happiness, and they were constantly clapping and whistling. Agha Sheikh Mohammad [Hashemian], the Friday Imam of [Rafsanjan], gave a detailed welcome and much praise. I also delivered a speech of encouragement and thanks.

Immediately, we went to inaugurate the cable manufacturing factory; it is important. They gave a progress report. They claim that after completing the second phase, they are set to supply 40% of the country's needs. We observed the operation of the machines. Representatives of the selling companies and the ambassador were also present. The industrial town was also visited. Mr. [Mohammad Reza] Nematzadeh, [Minister of Industries], provided explanations. We took a tour of the city streets. It has become clean, green, and spacious.

We went to Agha Sheikh Mohammad's house. We went into the private quarters.Their father and sisters Tahereh, Fatemeh, and Sedigheh, along with distant and close relatives, were gathered. We sat with them for a while. I did not recognize many of the children and teenagers. Many of them were introduced. It was a warm family gathering.

We went to the courtyard of the house for dinner; relatives and companions were present. While eating dinner, regional issues were also discussed. Mr. Ahmad Hashemian complained about the levies on pistachio exports as well as the rising prices of pesticides and fertilizers. A group of veterans was also there and expressed their demands.

We returned to the gathering of the women of the family. A group of girls from the Anar Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults came. They sang an anthem and brought a gift. Late at night, I slept in the library of A-Sheikh Mohammad.