Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – March 29, 1981

 We were scheduled to hold an open session of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. First thing in the morning, the Presiding Board convened, but the number of present representatives did not reach the quorum of one hundred and eighty, and we were unable to hold an official open session; we discussed the war zones informally. Parliament was adjourned for another week. I stayed in Parliament until the evening and took care of miscellaneous work.

A call came from the Azadegan newspaper saying that the printing press, due to outstanding debts, had refused to print the newspaper. It was agreed that I speak with the Mostazafan Foundation (Bonyad-e Mostazafan) and resolve it.

Mr. [Hosseyn] Ansari [Rad], representative of Neyshabur, complained about the performance of the Governor-General of Khorasan, the Islamic Republican Party, the court, the Jehad [Construction Jihad], and the IRGC; apparently, because they perceive him as being aligned with Banisadr, they are at odds with him.

Representatives of Khorramshahr complained about the problems of war refugees. News arrived of an assassination attempt on the life of Mr. Rabbani Shirazi in Shiraz and his survival. I spoke with him over the phone at Nemazee Hospital and also sent him a telegram.

I received news that Dr. Taqizadeh, Mr. Banisadr's representative in London, had gone to the Iraqi embassy and stayed there for a while; presumably, this is not unrelated to the mediation delegation. I passed the news to Mr. Rajai so he would be aware of it in the Supreme Defense Council.

In the evening, I went to the Central Council meeting of the Islamic Republican Party. We discussed current issues for a few hours. There were discussions on economic plans—aimed at redistributing wealth and eliminating economic discrimination—and decisions were made.

After the Maghrib and Isha prayers, a joint meeting of representatives and executive officials supporting the party was held. Mr. Beheshti and I gave speeches, and then several people spoke about the situation of war refugees, including Mr. [Mostafa] Mirsalim, head of the War Victims Foundation (Bonyad-e Jangzadegan).

Late at night, we spoke over the phone with [my son] Mohsen, who is studying in Belgium. He was satisfied with the embassy's work, the activities of the Islamic Association, the influence of the Revolution among Arab Islamic students, and the weakness of the counter-revolution.