Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – February 21, 1997

A group of representatives and directors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who had a seminar for Africa came. Dr. Velayati gave a work report and I spoke about the importance of cooperation with Africa, helping peace and reconciliation and development in that continent.

Then Mr. [Hussein] Shaykh al-Islam came. He gave the report of his trip to Sudan and Uganda, which he went to carry my message to strengthen the reconciliation of the two countries. He said, [Yuri] Museveni, [President of Uganda], has advised that we are also concerned about the security of Zaire, because he thinks that we should not pay attention to someone like [Mobutu] Sese Soko, [President of Zaire]. Then the Supreme Council of Africa had a meeting. Reports were made about the progress of the agreements we had during the African trip; not bad We made decisions to remove obstacles.

I did the work until four o'clock in the evening. I used the pool and came home. At night, I spoke on the phone with Mr. [Imam Ali] Rahmanof, the president of Tajikistan; It is in Mashhad. He has come to negotiate with the opposition, for the implementation plans of the Tehran agreements. Dr. Velayati, [Minister of Foreign Affairs] is also there. It was decided to come to Tehran after the negotiations. This trip to Mashhad, to negotiate with Mr. [Syed] Abdullah Nouri, [Tajikistan opposition leader], is a sign of his weakness and need.