Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – May 27, 1991

I arrived at the office at half past eight. At ten in the morning, Mr. [Abdullah] Nasiri, the head of the news agency [Islamic Republic = IRNA] came. He gave a report on the situation of the refugees and the western provinces of the country and said that better cultural works could have been done to attract the emotions of the Kurds. He asked for the supply of vehicles.

Mr. Majid Ansari, representative of Zarand, came; He asked for the needs of Zarand, including the Islamic Azad University and Behadari, and complained in a subtle way about the harshness of the statements [Friday prayer]. I said that they could have distanced themselves from the matter with statements like the other line. Regarding the proposal of the parliament regarding free ports, I warned that if it is voted as it is, it will cause a lot of damage.

Mr. [Hamid] Mirzadeh came. He gave a report on his trip to the western provinces and the situation of the displaced. He said that the foreign aid is very good and the two provinces of Kurdistan and West Azarbaijan have done better than Bakhtran [=Kermanshah]; The speed of Kurds returning to Iraq is good. Less than half of them are left.

[Mr. Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh], the Minister of Industries and his deputies came and gave a work report; I confirmed them. They said about the growth of production and the rapid growth of demands for basic approval and the wide willingness of people to invest and buy shares.

Ahmad Agha called and asked that the Imam's anniversary ceremony should start with my speech. I accepted We had a meeting of the Economic Council. There was a discussion about the price of tires and the guarantee of guaranteed purchases. Sarshab [Mr. Ali Fallahian], the Minister of Information, came and said that the extremists are upset with the statements and they are preparing for some kind of response.