Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 18, 1990

The Iraqis have officially announced that they have dispersed the residents of foreign countries in sensitive centers that are likely to be the target of an American attack, in order to prevent an attack, and they have also announced this issue to foreign nationals, which has caused strong reactions in the world. This is a step towards making the situation more critical, while it is a problem for the Westerners.

Mr. Dr. [Mohammed Ali] Najafi, [Minister of Education] came and asked for the needs of education. Dr. [Hasan] Habibi came and gave a report on the arrival schedule of prisoners and needs. Mr. [Ali Akbar] Natiq Nouri came. They talked about the election of the Assembly of Experts.

Mr. Walid Jumblat, [Lebanon's Druze leader] came. He expressed his concern about the large presence of America in the region and the war between Amal and Hezbollah in Lebanon and pleaded for the needs of his party. I told the program and budget organization to finance the expenses of the released prisoners.

The Supreme National Security Council had a meeting in the presence of Ayatollah Khamenei. It was agreed that we will accept the Iraqi delegation, but the composition of the delegation will be political, not economic, and we will not help to lift the siege. Also, let's not cancel paragraph 6 of Resolution 598 [on the introduction of the initiator of war] for the time being. If they ask for a peace declaration, let us agree. Also, let's accept Iranians living in Kuwait.

France has sent a message, what do we expect from the United Nations for Resolution 598. I worked in my office until half past eight and came home.