Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 23, 1988

I was at home. Today is Ashura. Mr. [Syed Abbas] Kothari came and prayed for us. I cried a lot and was very sad until noon. Mr. Kaushari asked Qom for the asphalting of the road in Ashnoye village. Some of the time was spent studying and some was spent resting. Yasser, who was in the mourning ceremony last night until morning and did not sleep, was dull and half asleep. We had noon lunch from the mourning delegations.

Dr. Rouhani and Brigadier General Jamali informed that the Iraqis objected to the passage of our forces through Nahr Do Borj after the Iraqi retreat. The UN observers have asked us to return to the east of the creek, our forces have not accepted, and the Iraqis have come with armored forces, they are clinging to our embankment, and without exchanging fire, there is a verbal conflict with punches and kicks. The parties have refused to shoot and finally the parties have decided to return to their previous positions.

The night of the meeting of the heads of forces was at our house. Dr. Velayati and [Mohammed Javad] Larijani came. They reported the work of the resolution commissions and consulted for the policy of negotiations in Geneva. It was decided that if there is no foreign minister of Iraq, there will be no Dr. Velayati and an Iraqi person will be elected. It was also decided not to reject the Soviet offer to help settle disputes. Actions should also be taken to improve relations with the countries of the south of the Persian Gulf. Dr. Velayati was advised to assure Iraqis that we want peace.

After the meeting, we had discussions with Ahmad Agha about internal welfare, distribution and economic policies after the war and the relevant ministers. Fati, who was helping his mother prepare food for the guests, seriously injured his finger.