Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – July 19, 1982

We had an open session and elections for the Presiding Board were held. With 167 votes out of 188—without a rival [and without any opposing votes]—I was elected Speaker of Parliament for the third time. Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Mousavi Khoeiniha, who was the First Deputy Speaker, received one vote less than Mr. Mohammad Khamenei and was not elected. Mr. Mohammad Yazdi became First Deputy, and Mr. Mohammad Khamenei became Second Deputy. From the former commissioners, Mr. [Alireza] Yarmohammadi and [Mousa] Zargar were not elected, and Mr. [Ali Mohammad] Besharati and [Gholam Abbas] Zaeri were elected in their place. From the secretaries, Mr. [Seyyed Ata'ollah] Mohajerani and [Hossein] Herati were replaced by Mr. [Manouchehr] Mottaki and [Seyyed Fazlollah] Hosseini Barmaei. Then a bill was passed.

At noon, I went to the Guardian Council meeting and discussed some of their objections to parliamentary approvals with them. Especially regarding the IRGC charter and such... and the fact that when, among the six jurists of the council, three votes stand against three, they return the parliamentary approvals. Is it necessary to prove the compliance of the approvals with Sharia, or is the mere absence of contradiction sufficient? This has not yet been established in the interpretation of the Constitution.

In the evening, I had a meeting with the Libyan ambassador, who had brought a message from Mr. [Muammar] Gaddafi, confirming our entry into Iraqi territory and declaring readiness to help. I also consulted with Dr. [Abdollah] Jassbi, who had prepared the charter and executive regulations of [Islamic] Azad University.

Two Ahl-e Haqq (Yarsani) individuals came and complained that a shrine of theirs had been destroyed in Hashtgerd. Iftar was at Mr. [Morteza] Moqtadaei's house in the company of Mr. [Hossein Ali] Montazeri. Until midnight, we discussed the disputes in Isfahan, the situation of the IRGC and the Unit of Movements, which is under the administration of Seyyed Mehdi Hashemi, and the situation of his household and his associates, and the necessity of creating a firm system and ensuring their security. At midnight, I went to the Parliament and slept. Severe toothache was bothering me. We had no important news.