Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – May 8, 1990

Mr. [Ali Akbar] Natiq Nouri, [Ali] Youssef Pour, [Syed Hashem] Bani Hashemi and Mrs. [Maryam] Behrouzi [representatives of the right wing of the parliament] came. They explained the situation in the parliament and said that they want to criticize the actions of some ministers. Discussions were held about the support plan for Palestine, line differences and economic issues. Mr. [Mohammad Javad] Irvani, the former Minister of Economy, came; He was going to Libya. I told them to negotiate for the purchase of cement. He had comments about tax reduction for industries.

Mr. Ahmed Jami, the political deputy of the Governor of Kohkiloyeh and Boyer Ahmad came. He gave a report on the state of the province and demanded the establishment of industries there. He pointed out the possibility of loss of councils, which are supposed to be established soon with elections.

Dr. [Hadi] Monafi, [Vice President and Head of the Environmental Protection Organization and Head of the Medical System Organization] came. He gave a report on the environment and the medical system. He was allowed to invite Dr. [Majid] Sami to examine my back, which is uncomfortable.

Mr. [Ali] Falahian, [Information Minister] came and complained about the slow cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Velayati [Minister of Foreign Affairs] came. We talked about sending a representative to Syria to explain the issues of Saddam's letter and asking for an explanation of the issues of the conference of Arab leaders [in Baghdad], as well as the issues of hostages; It was emphasized to help free the Swiss hostages.

In the evening Mr. [Mohsen] Noorbakhsh, [Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance] came. He is going to Pakistan. I told him to resolve the issue of Pak-Iran factory [= Pakistan-Iran joint venture company]. Negotiate about construction of gas pipeline and construction of refinery and cooperation in suppressing evildoers. Mr. [Hossein] Mahluji, [Minister of Mines and Metals] came. They talked about the result of negotiations with the private sector regarding Qeshm Island facilities and Isfahan, Ahvaz and Mobarakeh steelworks.

At night, Mr. [Abdullah] Nouri, [Interior Minister] came. Permission was obtained to change the governors of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. He defended [Mr. Gholamhossein Karbaschi], the mayor of Tehran; Some criticize his extremism, but they also accept his positive actions.

We had a meeting of the Expediency Council. A number of articles of the labor law were approved. The members of the congregation were my guests for dinner, which lasted until eleven o'clock at night. The members of the Guardian Council asked for a protective car. Mr. [Mohammed] Emami [Kashani] said about the work of the radicals. Mr. [Ahmed] Janati requested a recommendation to [Mr. Gholamhossein Karbaschi], the mayor [of Tehran], to issue a building permit for the Islamic Propaganda Organization.

Mr. [Sheikh Hassan] Saneyi, remembering that he and I encouraged the Imam after the death of the late Ayatollah Boroujerdi, to attend the community and sit in the Eid and mourning ceremonies and accept meetings, he expressed concern about the slogans of others and asked me not to let them [=radicals] get ahead in the slogan; I said that the expediency of Islam and the revolution should be considered, not political ambition. I stayed in my office at night.