Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – February 7, 1983

Early in the morning I checked on the front. It became clear that they had broken through the front line and the Iraqi fortifications at the border and had wrested several of our own and Iraqi outposts from their control. They had advanced several kilometers into Iraqi territory toward Al-Amarah, but had not reached all of their objectives.

Before the order of the [Islamic Consultative Assembly], I spoke about the [recent] operation. The bill for an interest-free banking system was approved in its first reading, and this is an important step toward Islamizing the banks.

During the recess, I spoke to a group of artists from across the country who had come to Tehran for the [Ten Days of Dawn] ceremonies. At noon, a group of managers from construction companies came and complained about the strictness of the officials and the refusal to adjust for inflation and rising work costs. It was decided that I would look into it. In the afternoon, I gave a television interview for the night of 22 Bahman. I met with Mr. Shafiq, the deputy minister of commerce, who explained consumer goods and distribution policy and asked for a consumption policy; I said we do not want to impose austerity on the people.

Mr. Razavi, who is responsible for abandoned customs goods, came and was worried that doubts had been raised about the legitimacy of their work. I said that until the law is amended or the Guardian Council declares it illegitimate, they should act according to the previous laws. He gave a report on the volume of his work. The seven-member committee for the distribution of [urban] land came and was deeply concerned about the adverse consequences of the Guardian Council's rejection of the land bill.

At night, I attended the dinner ceremony at the Azadi Hotel for the guests of the anniversary of the [Islamic] Revolution, which had been hosted in my name. I spoke to them about the imposed war and answered their questions. I came home. I watched the film of Operation Valfajr. The children had also attended the dinner and the ceremony; they came home later than I did. Late at night, I spoke by telephone with Mr. Mousavi Ardebili, who is at the front.