Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – May 10, 1983

I went to the Majlis. I had a meeting with Mr. [Ayatollah] Khamenei and Rabbani Amolashi to review the qualifications of the candidates for the Central Council of the Islamic Republic Party. In the open session, the bill [on the establishment of the Ministry of] Intelligence was under discussion. Most representatives favor concentrating intelligence activities and are not paying attention to the IRGC's request. Before the agenda, there were sharp attacks on the Minister of Commerce. A strong atmosphere has developed against him. In contrast, a group of representatives are questioning [Mohammad Salamat] the Minister of Agriculture. After the recess, I came to my office. I took care of administrative matters.

Mr. [Hadi] Marvi came from Qom and complained about the Society of Seminary Teachers [of Qom]. Some people from the IRGC came and asked for assistance with distance education through television. At noon, after lunch, I came home. In the afternoon, I went to Manzariyeh Camp to attend the party congress. The session was not ready at the scheduled time. I returned home with the prime minister and we spent an hour consulting. We talked about the Minister of Intelligence and the issue of the Ministry of Commerce. The prime minister believes that if Mr. Asgaroladi brings in capable deputies in place of the existing deputies, the problem will be solved, and I said that the disputed issues must first be resolved.

At five in the afternoon, we went to the congress. The session began two or three hours late. Given the large number of guests and the domestic and foreign sensitivity, this delay is embarrassing. Until the last moments, the hall was still disorganized and the sound system was faulty. [Ayatollah] Mr. Khamenei [President and Secretary-General of the Islamic Republic Party] gave a good report on the party's performance, which to some extent made up for the shortcomings, and attributed the disorder to the party's limited resources. The election of the presidium was held. As vice chairman, I presided over the session until the end. Late at night, I came home.