Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 16, 1983

In the open session, elections were held to determine the parliament’s representatives on the supervisory council of the IRIB. At the Imam’s request, I accepted the nomination; I myself was opposed, but I know that, given the problems that have arisen, this is the solution and the Imam’s judgment is sound. It is planned that senior officials will also be selected from the government and the Supreme Judicial Council. Mr. [Seyyed Reza] Zawarei was also elected as an alternate [representative]. Some representatives objected to this election because he had been forced to resign at the Imam’s request. At home that night, Effat, who was also unhappy with my election, objected; it led to an unpleasant argument. I went to bed without eating dinner.

In the afternoon, a group of commanders of the operational units of the Sarollah Division came from the Valfajr front and gave a report; I spoke to them. The officials of the offices of the Islamic Propaganda Organization came and complained about remaining unknown and opposed the plan to unify the propaganda system; I also spoke at length. The crowd was large and the weather was hot. Then Messrs. Jannati, Mousavi, Shirazi, Shar'i, and Va'ez came to my office; I suggested that Mr. Jannati [secretary of the Supreme Council of Islamic Propaganda] come to Tuesday’s meeting of the representatives and explain the matter; they do not want to be dependent on the government and also need money.

Afghan militant clerics came. They consider themselves the Imam’s line among the Afghan fighters and complained about the lack of special attention to them and the low importance given to Afghanistan. It was decided that I would convey their requests to the Foreign Ministry. They want to be officially recognized, like the Iraqi fighters; for the admission of their students to universities, weapons, money, travel, propaganda, and.... Then Dr. [Hadi] Manafi [Minister of Health] and his deputies came; they wanted the formation of a council of the heads of the three branches to strengthen health and medical care and to unify medical education and health and medical services. They have prepared a bill similar to one that Dr. [Hadi] Manafi had opposed in the past.