Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – December 31, 1991

I cooked some turnips that Agha Jalal brought from Nain with a microwave oven; It was not tasty. I reached my office at eight in the morning. Mr. [Gholamreza] Shafi came. We went to the parliament together to introduce him as the minister of cooperation. Mr. [Seyd Mahmoud] Da'ai, [Tehran's representative] came to the parliament and thanked Sudan for arranging their trip to Mecca and asked to thank Saudi Arabia for the respect and good treatment they have shown to Iranian travelers.

I introduced the minister with short words. No one had written a name as an opponent and the representatives had a good and warm attitude. During those moments when I was in the parliament, the representatives had many references as usual. I returned to my office. [Mr. Hossein Kamali], Minister of Labor [and Social Affairs] and members of the [Organization of] Technical and Vocational Education came. I spoke to them.

Mr. Sadegh Kharazi, [Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations] came. He reported on the many cultural activities in America and the establishment of television in several states and the great welcome of Iranians. He believes that at most three percent of Iranians living in America are anti-revolution and the rest are not anti-revolutionary and will be assimilated.

Export Development Committee had a meeting. We decided on banking facilities for transportation and many other supports. Export growth this year is good: 113% growth in eight months.

In the evening [Mr. Stovian Ganov], the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria came. He talked about the problems of his country due to fuel shortages and Western pressure to stop nuclear power production and asked for our help. He claimed that they are doing very well with Muslims. Dr. Velayati, [Minister of Foreign Affairs], was discussed about appointing strong ambassadors in Muslim republics. In the evening, the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution had a meeting. I arrived home late. it is snowing