Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 31, 1988

I reached the parliament at half past eight. I read the reports until half past nine. Mr. Sheikh Saeed Shaaban came from Lebanon. He emphasized on Iran's support for Islamic movements and asked to cooperate with Syria to fight the phalanxes and Israel and its supporters in Lebanon. Mr. Seyedzadeh came from the parliament staff. He offered me consulting help in political affairs.

Mr. [Reza] Amrollahi [head of the Atomic Energy Organization] came with a group of physicists. I talked to them about the value of science and respect for the world. Mr. Javad Larijani came. He reported the trip and claims that Greece, Germany and France have said that the cheapening of oil is not in the interest of Europe. It reduces the purchasing power of the oil-producing countries, and the United States benefits from the fact that the market for its goods is mostly in Europe. France has insisted and emphasized that it attaches first-class role to Iran in the region in future relations. The Europeans are trying to put pressure on Iraq to implement the resolution and [Hans Dietrich] Genscher [West German Foreign Minister] has said that America is preventing the West from strengthening Iran's military.

They came to the War Support Headquarters. They brought some gold and jewelry donated by people to the front. I told them to give Ruhollah to the 71st Division. At noon, Mr. [Abulfazl] Tawakli [Bina] came. He gave a report on the status of the housing building plan for the Corps and requested it. Personal matters were also discussed. He has power of attorney on my behalf to do personal affairs. He is saddened by the removal of Mr. [Mohsen] Rafiq Dost [from the government cabinet].

Asr, the head of the Iraqi Baath Party in Syria, which is fighting against Saddam, came on behalf of the Syrian Prime Minister Hafez Assad with a verbal message and asked us to continue the fight. I told him to give the plan, facilities and needs for review. [Colonel Jalali] Minister of Defense came. Consulted on the military procurement program.

Mr. Dr. [Mohammed Karim] Shahrazad, the representative of Isfahan, came. He requested that we contact the representatives more to enlighten them. He expressed readiness for research cooperation with military industries. I worked in my office until half past seven and came home.