Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – January 14, 1989

It snowed heavily last night and it continues to snow today. Because of the snow, the cars arrived late and we left late and it was moving very slowly. I arrived at Ayatollah Khamenei's office at eleven o'clock, when the meeting was over. The foreign minister came. We discussed the issues of Lebanon. I went to the parliament for lunch. In the evening, our ambassador came to China. He discussed the development of relations and the delay in the delivery of special goods that we have bought during the war and the purchase of aircraft. I said that our policy is to strengthen relations with China.

Mr. Masih Mohajeri [administrator of Jomohri-e-Islami newspaper] came. He complained to Ayatollah Khamenei that they wrote him a harsh letter because of the newspaper article against Mr. Montazeri and his strong positions against foreign policy. He took responsibility for the future of the newspaper. I said that the limits of authority and policy governing advertising should be defined. He informed that the land of the printing house has been acquired and modern machines have been imported, which will be the most modern printing house in Iran. I worked in my office until half past seven.

I went to the meeting of the heads of forces in the prime minister's office. [Mr. Mohtashmipour] the Minister of the Interior came. They talked about councils and decided to implement them after the presidential election. The parties were discussed and it was decided to follow the party law approved by the parliament. They came from the Ministry of Intelligence and reported the discovery of a spy network. The meeting lasted until half past ten. I did not come home because of the snow and ice on the streets of northern Tehran. I went to the assembly and immediately fell asleep.