Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 6, 1988

I went to the parliament. Reports show progress in the peace process. Iraqis have begun whispering acceptance, but under pressure from supporters. At ten o'clock in the morning, the board of the parliament had a meeting. We discussed about the start of the work of the parliament. As a result, it was thought that if the work of the parliament starts, people's attention will decrease from the front. It was decided to make a statement and announce the continuation of the suspension of the work of the parliament as planned, in order for the representatives to attend the work of the war.

The Indian ambassador came. He asked to participate in post-war reconstruction for India and to help release an Indian-American hostage in Lebanon. Mr. Shamkhani came in the afternoon. He brought the operational plan of the army. He said that 300 battalions of troops are present and the arrival of troops continues. The operation is conditional on Iraq's new aggression, and if it doesn't, we shouldn't take action either. Imam Nahi has said and said that we are serious about peace.

In the evening, Mr. [Mortaza] Alviri came and said that according to the opinion of experts, we cannot do much work on the welfare of the people so soon, and therefore we should not promise welfare to the people. In the evening, I did the work of the parliament and the war.

Mr. [Syed Mohammad] Khatami informed that Saddam has announced in a speech that he accepts the ceasefire and withdraws the condition of direct negotiations with Iran before the ceasefire, on the condition that after the ceasefire, Iran accepts direct negotiations.

The night of the meeting of the heads of forces was in my office. The president is at the front. Mr. [Mohammed Javad[Larijani and] Siros] Naseri from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came; They told about the progress of the work in the United Nations and discussed about the future policy. It was decided to accept direct negotiations after the ceasefire.

Mr. Larijani reported on his trip to the Soviet Union and said that the Russians attacked from a low position. They want warm relations and they are worried about the warming of our relations with the West and they are worried that I did not accept Mr. Vornetyev [Deputy Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union] during his visit to Tehran. They said why so-and-so is offended by us? The organization of the army and the IRGC was also discussed. I came home late. Yasir came from the front and Mehdi called that a plane is needed to transport troops.