Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – November 4, 1989

I came to my office with your recovery. I have a lot of backlog work. Usually my work is up to date. I talked with Mr. [Mohsen] Noorbakhsh, [Abdul Hossein] Wahaji and [Akbar] Turkan [Ministers of Economic Affairs and Finance, Commerce and Defense] about the exchange rate and negotiations with the Soviets and the distribution of potatoes.

[Mr. Morteza] Mohammad Khan [Chief of Customs] came. He gave a report on the customs situation. He claims to have made reforms and brought a plan to speed up the work at Bazargan Customs and applied for it.

[Mr. Mohsen Mirdamadi] the governor of Khuzestan and his deputies [and those responsible for the reconstruction of Abadan and Khorramshahr] came. They gave a report on the reconstruction situation and told the needs and deficiencies. It has heavy expenses and few facilities. Mr. [Hamid] Mirzadeh came for the current affairs of the country. Mr. [Abulfazl] Tawakli [Bina] came. He complained about the treatment of Tahrir officials against Mr. [Ali Akbar] Tahririan. Mohsen came. While eating lunch, we talked about the shortcomings, especially the bad distribution situation in the Ministry of Commerce.

In the evening Mr. Katashev, the Minister of [Foreign Trade] of the Soviet Union came with the delegation. It was a warm meeting. It was said about the good progress of the negotiation program and Mr. Turkan and Mr. Noorbakhsh were discussed separately about their respective sections. Mr. Noorbakhsh said about the high pressure of demand for free currency; It is worried that our sales force is not more.

In the evening [community] of militant clergy [Tehran] had a meeting in my office. They said about the candidates for the [Islamic Shura] elections in Tehran. The current affairs of the country were discussed. I went home late.