Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – July 29, 1991

[Mr. Sartaj Aziz], Minister of Economy and [Chawdhury Nisar Ali Khan], Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources of Pakistan came. The talks were about the development of relations. Mr. [Mohsen] Nurbakhsh and [Gholamreza] Aghazadeh had already explained. I emphasized the need to develop economic relations and transportation and the importance of Balochistan.

Students participating in physics and mathematics olympiads came. Mr. Dr. [Mohammed Ali] Najafi, [Minister of Education] gave a report. I spoke to them and encouraged them; have achieved considerable success; 8th place among fifty-six mostly developed countries.

Mr. [Hamid] Mirzadeh came. He gave a report on the progress of reconstruction [war zones]. He got help for the welfare of students and currency for universities. Mr. [Mohammed Hossein] Rezaei, the executive director of Hajj [and Pilgrimage] came and gave a report on the Hajj ceremony. They have a difference of opinion with Mr. [Sidmehdi] Imam Jamarani, [Head of the Endowments and Charitable Affairs Organization]. He wants to separate Hajj from awqaf. He said about currency savings; They have spent about one hundred million dollars.

In the evening Mr. [Mahmoud] Vaezi, [Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs] came. There was talk of helping to free the hostages. He had brought the message of the Americans, who had explained their position on Iraq and the region in order to dispel suspicions and emphasized the absence of compromise with Saddam.

The Economic Council had a meeting. There was a discussion about the postal tariff and doctors' [visits] and the price of medicines; I got in the way. They wanted to increase tariffs and drug prices. Mr. [Mortaza] Alveiri came. He expressed concern about the recent interpretation of the Guardian Council and the possibility of removing some extremists and sought a solution; He asked me to help.

At night, our relatives were our guests. Remembering the past and childhood memories, we laughed a bit.