Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 6, 1994

In the reports, the calm in the Republic of Azerbaijan is visible for the benefit of the government. I read the reports and did the work until half past nine in the morning. A strong wave related to high prices can be seen in public opinion; I decided to take serious action. Ayatollah Khamenei has also reached the same conclusion. The mood of the society and the authorities is prepared to be harsh towards high street sellers.

Mr. [Syed Abdullah] Nouri, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Tajikistan, came with Mr. [Mustafa] Pourmohammadi and relevant experts. He gave explanations about the situation of Tajikistan and Tajiks in Afghanistan and the method and purpose of the struggle and tactics. He said there are about 50,000 displaced people in Afghanistan, one-third of whom are dependent on UN aid in camps. One third work by themselves and one third earn a living with the help of Islamic, Arab and Iranian governments and organizations. He is in Badakhshan province and his main relations are with [Burhanuddin] Rabbani and especially Ahmad Shah Massoud, and he is not bad with [Gulbadin] Hekmatyar and [Abdul Rashid] Dostum. They have good relations with the Russian soldiers who are on the border of Tajikistan and Afghanistan and do not get involved. Russian soldiers don't want to fight and usually don't follow the orders of the commanders; They have reached an understanding with the current rulers of Tajikistan to prevent the rise of Russian-affiliated northern gangs, and for that reason, they do not agree with the proposed elections, because they know that the northerners will win and they want the temporary Islamic government to come to power. They are grateful for Iran's help, although it is not much.

A group of professors from the Faculty of Law and Political Science [Tehran University] came. They complain about the influence of leadership representative offices and drying up the environment of universities. Mr. [Mohammed Reza] Takhshid, son-in-law of Mr. [Mohammed] Yazdi, [Head of the Judiciary] and two of his colleagues for whom Mr. Yazdi took time.

Mr. [Mohammed Sharif] Mahdavi [Shahrodi], our new ambassador to South Africa, came to say goodbye and get opinions and talked about the wide field of economic cooperation between Iran and South Africa, such as the exchange of oil, goods and services. He asked for a plan for my trip there and asked for my emphasis for the cooperation of the authorities, to be more present there.

By four o'clock in the afternoon, things were done. I came home Mrs. [Sadiqa] Eshraqi, the daughter of the Imam, came.