Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – June 28, 1999

Mr. [Mohammad] Gharazi, [member of the Tehran City Council], arrived. He presented examples of new revenue sources for the Tehran Municipality. He consulted [me] regarding running in the parliamentary elections and spoke about the necessity of forming an independent party. Mr. [Abdolmajid] Ma'adikhah, [head of the Foundation for the History of the Islamic Revolution], came regarding issues with the History Foundation and expressed concern over opposition to Velayat-e Faqih [Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist] and religious governance. Mr. [Reza] Norouzzadeh, MP for Esfarayen, arrived. He expressed appreciation for my support toward Esfarayen's development, including the dam, roads, and heavy industries, and asked me to speak with Engineer [Akbar] Torkan to assist with completing the alloy steel plant and seamless pipe project.

In the evening, I went to the IRIB International Conference Center for the inauguration of the 12th International Islamic Unity Conference. Mr. [Mohammad] Vaez-Zadeh [Khorasani, Secretary-General of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought] gave a welcoming speech, and I spoke about the criteria for unity, including the principle of Islamic allegiance (muwalat) and prioritizing the interests of Islam above other interests.

I returned to my office and worked until night. Mr. [Ali] Fallahian, [former Minister of Intelligence], called to express concern over the press pressure against him regarding the [serial] murders and Saeed Emami's suicide, requesting a meeting for advice. Mr. [Mehrdad] Mahmoudi came and provided explanations regarding an internet usage guide. I stayed at my office for the night. Effat called from Syria, expressing appreciation for the warm hospitality of Mr. Hafez al-Assad's family and the Syrian government, and asked me to convey thanks over the phone. She sought advice about traveling to Egypt, which I did not consider advisable.