Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 17, 1989

I reached the parliament at half past seven in the morning. I read the reports. The resignation of the leader from the position of the presidency came to be discussed in the inauguration ceremony. Along with Mr. Ahmad Agha and Mr. [Mohammed] Yazdi, we went to the official meeting for the inauguration. There were also Mr. Mousavi Ardebili and Mousavi Khoini. It seems that they are unhappy with Mr. Yazdi's replacement. Mr. Karroubi [Chairman of the Islamic Council] spoke about me first. Then Mr. Yazdi and then I spoke in detail after taking the oath.

Dr. [Hasan] Rouhani was discussed about the Ministry of Justice and another position [= Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council]. prefers the latter. I went to my office and collected my personal belongings. I said goodbye to my office members. I settled in the presidential office. The members of the office slaughtered a sheep upon arrival and we talked a bit with Ayatollah Khamenei who was waiting for me.

In the parliament, the amendment of the cabinet review regulations was made and made it difficult for the approval of the ministers. He hides the vote and increases the speaking time, as well as the distance between the introduction and the start of the discussion, which are all three problems; It practically stagnates the country for ten days.

The new place was unfamiliar to me and I felt empty. Some time was spent separating the documents that I had taken from the parliament and setting up the table and the room. I did not sleep in the afternoon. I was tired in the evening. Dr. [Hasan] Habibi and [Ataala] Mohajerani came. There was a discussion about the arrangement of the program and the biographies of the proposed ministers.

Dr. Velayati and Mr. [Nasrahirani] Nobari, our ambassadors in the Soviet Union, came. Mr. Noberi described the trip to the Soviet Union and going to the Black Sea coast where the Soviet leaders rest and meeting with [Edward Sheward] Nadze and delivering my message and negotiations and conveying my message to Gorbachev and the warm reception of the Russians and the positive response to our request. They have agreed to immediately deliver some Sam-5 [missile] sites and some MiG-29 [aircraft] and have considered the problem in the quality of training and commissioning. We decided to make a decision after consulting with the leadership.

Dr. Velayati gave the description of his trip to Syria and getting the price of the Russian weapons they bought, the foreign minister of Pakistan came to meet. He gave the message of the Americans about the desire for good relations with Iran, and I spoke in detail and explained the problems of the work, which are mainly aimed at the Americans. We spread the news in consultation with the Foreign Minister and Ayatollah Khamenei.

Amir Khalili came. He described the trip to Afghanistan and the meeting with Ahmad Shah Massoud, the important commander of the Mujahideen. They have gone a long way with animals, on foot and by car to Panjshir Valley. He is satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations. Mr. [Mahdi] Karroubi [Chairman of the Islamic Council] came. They talked about the cabinet and the state of the parliament. They are unhappy with the appointment of Mr. [Mohammed] Yazdi [head of the Judiciary], as well as with the status of Ayatollah Khamenei's office, which they believe is used more by conservative forces.

Mr. Khamenei came. The issue of getting weapons from the Soviet Union was discussed; They agree and it was decided to send army and IRGC forces for training. They also talked about expediency assessment council and advisors and policies. I came home I was tired and my leg hurts.