Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – December 24, 1994

Sample farmers came. The meeting was held with the report of Dr. [Isa] Kalantari, [Minister of Agriculture] and the awarding of awards and my speech. [Mr. Roberto Rubaña], the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba came. He told about the situation and problems of his country, the pressure of the United States and the lack of support from Russia, like the former Soviet Union, and asked for help to solve the problems. I made a specific proposal for cooperation.

Relatives of Ayatollah [Mohammed Ali] Araki came. There were sons, grandsons, son-in-law and the head of the office. They thanked the government for their attention during the illness and the death and mourning ceremony. They brought his books. There was talk of making a work named after him.

In the evening, I had an interview with the radio station. It took about two hours. Mr. [Mohammed Javad] Larijani, [Gholam Ali] Haddad Adel and [Mohammed] Nahavandian asked questions in political, economic and cultural fields.

At night, the Supreme Council of National Security had a meeting. There were mass protests from Qom students against Mr. Montazeri. I told the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Information to stop the crowding. Mr. Falahian, [Minister of Information], informed that Ayatollah Khamenei has also expressed his displeasure with this action of the students. The issue of Iraqi prisoners was in the order, and it was agreed that they would be released gradually, in exchange for receiving some concessions. Regarding the issue of American warships in the Persian Gulf and their warnings and inspections in connection with the Iraqi blockade, Mr. [Ali] Shamkhani, [Naval Commander], was told that the Americans, by accepting bribes, allow various oil vessels to take oil from Iraq.