Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – March 30, 1985

I called Akhvi Mohammad and warned him about the problems in the quality of news reporting; They act weakly.

Colonel Tarabi [responsible for Imam's advisory office in the army] presented a report on the quality of air defense last night. I ordered that it be announced that we will accept Iraqi pilots at a certain base; Similar to Gaddafi's announcement. Mr. Hossein Tash, the missile officer of the IRGC, called and got permission to launch a missile towards Baghdad. I advised Mr. [Kamal] Kharrazi [Chief of the War Propaganda Staff] about the announcement and the war propaganda line.

I went to the parliament at ten o'clock, read the reports and did the administrative work of the parliament. In the evening [Mr. Salah Zawawi], the Palestinian ambassador came and brought a letter from [Yasser] Arafat requesting the acceptance of a ceasefire. He wanted to accept the Palestinian delegation for mediation and also proposed to invite the foreign ministers of the countries bordering the Persian Gulf, and while asking for help, he wanted me to write a letter to Arafat.

I had a TV interview about the 12th of Farvardin [Islamic Republic Day]. [Mr. Aradak Manoukian] Armenian Bishop [Azm] came, brought four million rials to help the fronts and asked for help to teach religious texts in Armenian schools. [Mr. Jean Pern] the chargé d'affaires of the French embassy came to say goodbye and apologized for France's misbehavior with us. I also bitterly criticized France's policy, especially in helping Iraq and the counter-revolution and blocking Iran's loan.

At night, I attended the meeting of the government board about the war and answered the questions of the ministers about the war. Tehran subway was also discussed. I defended the necessity of its construction, opponents and supporters spoke, and finally it was agreed to build it. After the victory of the revolution, the Tehran subway plan was closed by the government's approval due to the propaganda of the communists and the sloganeering of the revolutionary forces, and its reconstruction required the approval of the government again.

I came home late. I ate half of the sandwich we ate in the government meeting as dinner and slept.