Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – February 18, 1997

Representatives of Bushehr province came. They asked for more help in the future trip to Bushehr and also to increase popular programs. Mr. [Mohammed Baqer] Navisi, head of the office of Mr. Natiq Nouri,

[Speaker of Parliament] came. He expressed his concern about the failure of Mr. Natiq in the first stage of the presidential election and quoted Mr. [Mohammed Reza] Bahnar and Mr. Natiq himself saying that they heard that Dr. [Hasan] Habibi was sent a message to run for office and asked for my help.

[Mr. Lavrenenko], the head of the joint commission of Kazakhstan came. The talks focused on the development of relations. They ask us for a loan to build a new capital. [Mr. Seyed Taher Taheri], the representative of Semnan, came. He requested more for construction works. [Mr. Abbas Akhundi], Minister of Housing [and Urban Development] came for the program of building a center for displaying the history of Islamic civilization. I used the pool.

In the evening Mr. [Bijan Namdar] Zanganeh, [Minister of Energy] came. We got permission to construct the diverting tunnel of the Khodaafrin Dam of Aras River, although the Azeris are not cooperating and there was a discussion about the possibility of a water shortage this summer in Tehran.

We had several resolutions in the Economic Council. At night, we went to the Azadi Stadium with Mohsen for the ceremony of honoring the successful athletes. The program was warm and happy. Karate children gave a good show. They played a video of the highlights of sports. Mr. [Mustafa] Hashemi Taba, [Head of Physical Education Organization], reported. They performed songs, then ten groups of successful athletes gathered and took pictures with me. After awarding the prizes, which ranged from one hundred [Baharazadi] coins and below, according to the value of world, regional or Olympic medals, I gave an encouraging speech about the importance of sports and the government's plan to strengthen sports.