Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 25, 1996

At eight o'clock in the morning, we went to the Tehran International Exhibition to open the Government Week Exhibition.

For an hour, we visited many booths that have well displayed the major works of the government. Admirable by the way. The Ministry of Guidance's initiatives in introducing construction achievements this year is better than the previous years, and basically the general atmosphere of the society is good, and they are almost satisfied with the achievements of construction and the government, and they are respected and admired. Opponents cannot deny either. We have not had such a good situation so far. People touch the works of construction.

Then, after listening to the report of Mr. [Ali Akbar] Ash'ari, [Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance], I gave a detailed speech summarizing the successes. The comprehensiveness of the discussion was taken into consideration and they expressed their displeasure over the lack of television recording. Provincial exhibitions are held in all provinces.

We went to the meeting place of officials of cultural agencies abroad. After listening to the report of Mr. [Mustafa] Mirslim, [Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance] and [Mohammed Ali] Taskhiri, [Head of Islamic Culture and Communication Organization], I talked about the right ways to promote the culture of Islam and revolution and I warned them against excesses and I relied on the virtue of Islam and the ease and tolerance of Islam and the need to know about the achievements of Islam to show the power of Islam.

[Mr. Abdul Samad Azad], the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh came to meet. after work

The arrival of the new government has chosen Iran as its first foreign trip. He said that the people of Bangladesh have become interested in me after my trip there and the new government accepts all the commitments of the previous government regarding Iran. He thanked me that during my trip to Dhaka, I had a fatherly meeting with the leaders of the opposition who are in power today, and Mrs. Sheikh Hasina [Wajed] was deeply affected by those fatherly explanations. I also emphasized Iran's decision to develop relations with them.

Mr. [Gholamreza] Fadai Iraqi, [head of the Majlis Library] came and asked for the strengthening of the Majlis [Islamic Council] library. [Defence Minister] Mr. [Mohammed] Faruzandeh came and got an opinion for a trip to China and negotiations with the leaders of this country. By the evening, I did some of the remaining work from the trip. In the evening, the Supreme Council of National Security had a meeting. We approved to sign the resolution prohibiting atomic explosions, and it was decided that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would ask Germany to hand over the people who have committed obvious crimes to us. Because of the movement he started during the Berlin court and in order to overshadow their propaganda.

We went to Azadi Stadium for the sports and cultural Olympiad ceremony of medical students. About five thousand male and female students participated. The parade of athletes and the report of Mr. [Alireza] Marandi, [Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Sciences], [Mustafa] Hashemi Taba, [Head of the Physical Education Organization] and my speech were done. I gave the badge of courage to Mr. Rasool, Amir Khadim, and Abbas Gadidi. I tied the armband of Mr. [Mahmoud] Miran. During the meeting, Dr. Marandi gave a report on his trip to Iraq. He said that their condition is very bad. In addition, they did not allow him to meet Saddam [Hussein, the president of Iraq].