Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 29, 1990

We arranged the travel plan to the central province. The reports inform about the strengthening of the political solution for the crisis in the region; Of course, there is a possibility of deceiving Iraq in order to take foreign nationals as hostages and prepare others to attack. Mr. [Hamid] Mirzadeh, [executive deputy of the president] came for the affairs of reconstruction, currency and freedmen.

[Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Dali], Minister of Consultancy in Foreign Affairs of Yemen came to meet. He thanked Iran for supporting the unity of the two Yemens and our principled position, but his main goal was to get our support for Iraq to help lift the siege. I asked questions that were not answered; He approached from a position of weakness and begging. It seems that they are powerless in the face of Iraq's siege and the possibility of a military attack, and they have no solution. Even they themselves have been forced to announce participation in the siege and implement the resolution of the Security Council. I asked him to explain the plan of resistance and confrontation so that we can make a decision, he also asked for oil.

Dr. [Mustafa] Moin, [Minister of Culture and Higher Education] came. He gave a report on the state of higher education and is satisfied with the quantitative and qualitative progress, but he believes that I need support.

I don't take it from him; I promised support. I am saddened by the criticism I had towards him a few days ago in the government meeting.

In the evening, we went to the tomb of Imam (RA) with the government delegation. Ahmad Agha welcomed and he and I had a short talk. In the shrine, the pilgrims expressed warm feelings. Then we went to visit the graves of the martyrs of 8 Shahrivar [martyr Muhammad Ali Rajaee and martyr Mohammad Javad Bahnar]. I returned to my office. I did not attend the meeting of the government board because of preparing for the trip tomorrow night.

We were guests of the parliament with the government delegation. It was a good session. Mr. [Mahdi] Karroubi, [Chairman of the Islamic Council] welcomed and some representatives asked questions. I answered the questions and explained the policy of the system in relation to the current issues of the region, Iraq's submission to our demands and the conflict between Iraq, Kuwait and the United States. We had dinner. We had many references from representatives.

I returned to my office. I was very tired. To prepare for tomorrow's trip, I took a shower. When I came out of the bathroom, Mr. [Syed Mohammad] Mirmohammadi, [the head of the president's office] informed me that Ayatollah [Syed Shahab al-Din] Najafi Marashi, [one of the Taqlid authorities], died at night after the prayer. That's why we decided to cancel tomorrow's trip. I prepared a statement for condolence and announcing three days of public mourning.