Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – April 20, 1982

At six-thirty in the morning, I went to the Majlis. After it started, I handed over the session to Mr. [Mousavi] Khoeiniha and went to Mr. Khamene'i's office for consultation regarding the response to the proposal of the Organization of the Islamic Conference about the conditions for ending the war. The Prime Minister, the Head of the Supreme Court, and Ahmad Agha were also there.

They have proposed the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Iranian soil, but they have raised other matters that are considered conditions. Negotiation about the Arvand Rud based on the Algiers Agreement - which in our view is clear and does not need negotiation - the stationing of neutral forces on both sides of the border - which we do not accept on our own soil - and also the formation of a committee to determine the aggressor, on which basis compensation will be paid, and in our view the aggressor is clear and must pay compensation, and that is Iraq. It was decided that Dr. Velayati would give the answer. They have also, during this trip, become somewhat familiar with the atmosphere prevailing in Iranian society and have understood that without clear and major concessions, it is difficult for Iranian officials to accept a ceasefire, and they know that the authority for war and peace rests with the Imam himself, and they are not unaware of his views.

Then they brought the tape of Mr. Shariatmadari's interview, in which he confessed to being aware of the coup, but denies any approval, and other conversations have also been recorded; they were frightened. Repeated telegrams seeking help arrive from him.

Mr. Mohsen Rezaei also informed that we will soon begin a widespread offensive against Iraq, and then informed about the Sepah's charter, saying that the Sepah members are objecting and claim it weakens the Sepah. In the afternoon, I gave interviews for Workers' Day and the anniversary of the Majlis, and at the beginning of the night, representatives from the Martyrs' Foundation and the Sepah came to discuss the management of the marriage of the martyrs' widows, which the Imam had proposed. They had disagreements, and the Sepah wants to interfere in their affairs.

At night, I slept in the Majlis. It was planned that Mr. Shariatmadari's interview would be broadcast, but it did not happen. I spoke about him in an interview. The Society of Seminary Teachers announced that he is no longer qualified for marja'iyat, and demonstrations have been held against him in Tabriz, Qom, Tehran, and many cities.