Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 29, 1982

We had a public session. Before the agenda, I spoke about the martyrs Rajai and Bahonar and the impact of their martyrdom over the past year. During the recess, I spoke with the spectators—three hundred male and female teachers who were heading to Kurdistan, and... At noon, I also met with another group that had come from Kazerun.

After lunch, Dr. Taheri Shirazi came to my office and we talked about the new Minister of Health and Medical Treatment.

Dr. Velayati also came and reported on the conference of the foreign ministers of Islamic countries in Nigeria, and he was satisfied. He brought news from Pakistan's foreign minister about a Soviet spy who had defected and sought asylum in England. For this reason, I contacted Mr. Khamenei, the President, who had gone to Mashhad.

A group of representatives came and expressed concern that a large number of representatives and officials would be going to Mecca, because of the potential danger and the disruption of work in the country. Ahmad Agha called and reported on the Saudis' strict measures against Iranian pilgrims regarding carrying Imam's photographs and leaflets, and... In the afternoon, Mr. Moghaddam, the imam of the Hamburg Mosque in Germany, came and spoke about issues concerning students and our embassy in Germany. I was supposed to have an interview with the Jomhouri Eslami newspaper about the war, but it was postponed.

The meeting of the party's Central Council was held in my office. Because Mr. Khamenei was absent, the agenda—which had been about the disagreements between two viewpoints within the party and the government—was changed. Ahmad Agha suggested that the confiscated assets of Mr. Seyyed Kazem Shariatmadari be given to the party, and said that he had spoken with the Imam and that he had not opposed it. Some were against it and some were in favor, and it was decided that there should be further consultation. Foreign trade and the government's bill being stalled in the Guardian Council were discussed, and it was decided that the Economic Council would make the decision. Criticisms of the government's performance were raised, and the Prime Minister responded.

At night, Mr. Sabouri from the team following up on the Prime Minister's Office bombing case and the crime of Masoud Keshmiri came and gave extensive information about Keshmiri and his associates. He had called a revolutionary organization into question, and we need to investigate it. It is an important matter. At night, I returned home.