Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – December 21, 1986

In the speech before the order, I recommended that people of opinion give their opinions about the future of Iraq to the opposition conference. Most of my purpose of speaking was to make it clear that my presence in Tehran would cover the trip to the front. I stayed in the parliament until half past ten.

I spoke for the sisters of teacher training students in Borujerd. They gave some money that they had saved from their travel expenses to the flood victims. Mr. [Saeed] Rajaei Khorasani [Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations] came. Since he was not in the course of the Americans' calls and is unaware of our politics, he is weak in dealing with the mass media of the West. I turned them on.

In the afternoon, Messrs. [Abbas] Mateen and [Gholamabas] Zairi came to ask for help in the problems of Bandar Abbas, including Imam Juma and the lack of appointment of natives in responsibilities.

Mr. Latif Safari [Islamabad West representative] came. He complained about the advertisements in front of him in the region. Mr. [Syedjalil] Seyedzadeh [Kermanshah's representative] informed that Iraq heavily bombarded the West today at noon and the losses are high. It was decided to shell Basra for 24 hours in retaliation for Bakhtran and Drood.

Ayatollah Montazeri from Qom was asked by phone about the result of my intercession with the Imam and said that the information follows the summons of Seyyed Hadi. They said that they are going to visit Tehran today to visit the Imam. I told them to wait until I go to Qom today and let them know about the situation. I wanted to tell Ahmad Agha, but it was not possible to make a phone call. I had previously told them to tell the imam not to be strict, but he did not respond. Finally, in the afternoon, Ahmad Agha informed that the Imam had said that they would not interfere and told me to tell Ayatollah Montazeri not to come to Tehran to intercede. I said it is not advisable to take this message. I will go to Qom myself and tell the Imam's opinion, maybe Mr. Montazeri himself will give up his intention to travel and there will be no need to tell.

In the evening, we left for Khuzestan for future operations. The companions left by train at half past four and I, after meeting with our ambassadors and businessmen in the United Arab Emirates and discussing the level of relations and dealing with their insidious policy regarding the war and Iraq, moved to Qom by car.

I arrived at Mr. Montazeri's house at half past six. They were waiting for me. I said the inflexible opinion of the Ministry of Information about the guilt of Mr. Seyed Hadi during Seyed Mehdi. They asked me to intercede again. I told the president on the phone to intercede. I left Qom by train at eight o'clock. We had dinner and I slept early.