Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – March 30, 1981

First thing in the morning, I worked a bit on completing the article "Nahj al-Balagha and Politics" and then went to Parliament. After studying the reports and signing letters, I prepared a response to the letter from the Speaker of the Algerian Parliament, Rabah Bitat, and invited him to Iran.

Dr. [Ali Akbar] Velayati had written a letter of protest to the radio and television regarding their improper treatment of Parliament, which I endorsed.

Messrs. [Yasser] Arafat, Hani al-Hassan, and their companions—who had come to Iran with the mediating delegation of the "Taif Islamic Conference"—came to meet me. They were concerned about the danger of an Israeli attack on southern Lebanon. I reassured them and said that this attack would be to America's detriment, would explode the region, and America would suffer the most. I asked him [Yasser Arafat] to act more revolutionarily.

He left for the airport. Hani al-Hassan remained alone and provided useful information about the situation in Iraq, Saddam's weakness, and the view of the delegation; it seems they are gradually taking an anti-Iraqi stance. He was concerned that some Iranian revolutionaries had turned against Arafat.

In the afternoon, I held a press and [radio] television interview and went to Karaj to participate in the camp of the Islamic Associations of Sistan and Baluchestan.

In the pleasant Iravani Garden, about five hundred young men and women were present, full of passion, energy, and supportive of the clergy. I gave a speech to them and answered their questions, and also participated in the Basij camp. They sang an anthem, and I encouraged them.

Then I went to the Teacher Training Center—where five hundred distinguished teachers had gathered and were holding an interesting seminar. Their dinner was Ash-e Reshteh [noodle soup], which we ate, and I gave a speech and answered their questions until ten o'clock at night. They were very spirited and revolutionary. They sang a very interesting anthem with the opening line, "Militant cleric, I come toward you."