Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 2, 1993

We went to the international exhibition for the opening ceremony. I visited the booths covered by the Bank of Industry and Mining, the booth of agricultural products, the hall of several foreign countries, and the booths of private sector industries. The ceremony started at half past ten. After the speech of Mr. [Mustafa] Hashemi Taba, [Deputy Export Minister of the Ministry of Commerce] and Mr. [Yahi] Al-Ishaq, [Minister of Commerce], I spoke and after lighting the torch of the exhibition, I continued the visit. I did an interview. In general, I found the state of the domestic industry to be good; Some industries have the problem of liquidity and competition of foreign goods. Foreign companies are less than the previous year; Probably because of our foreign commitments. I went to my office.

In the evening, Mr. [Mohammed] Emami Kashani, [Ali Naqi] Khamshi and Dr. [Hasan] Habibi came. We negotiated about the tall building being built for Shahid Motahari High School in Saad Abad, which will disturb the guest house of the government. It was agreed that we will give them the expected benefits and the building will be owned by the government. Mr. [Ahmed] Janati and Mr. Sadr came and asked for the approval of their proposed regulations for leadership representatives in universities and also for financial support.

Dr. [Hossein] Sadeghi came. He is a heart surgeon and works in America. He said that fourteen members of his family are doctors and have returned to Iran because of the policies of my government. He also wants to return and is waiting for the completion of his new initiative regarding monkey heart transplants to children. He wanted us to give ten thousand meters of his father's land in Qaitariya, which has been declared suitable, to build a modern heart hospital. He told me about my policies and the progress of the country and the hope of Iranians abroad.

[Mr. Gholamhossein Karbaschi], the mayor of Tehran, came. He gave a report on the extensive construction works in Tehran and said that this year Tehran's budget is 63 billion tomans, half of which is construction. He gave a report on the work of Hamshahri newspaper with a circulation of one hundred and sixty thousand copies. He got an opinion about the quality of the handing over of the stalls in the central square of the new bar. I assured him that I will support him in the new government and asked him to continue his work with hope.