Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – February 8, 1995

In the reports, the continuation of the war in Chechnya and Ecuador and such a victory and more movements of the Taliban group in Afghanistan were important. We went from home to Esteghlal Hotel for the Khwarazmi festival. First, we visited the exhibition of the winning design. Then, at the ceremony, we heard the report of [Syed Mohammad Reza Hashemi Golpaigani], the Minister of Culture and Higher Education, as well as the head of the Scientific and Industrial Research Organization of Iran, and I gave the prizes to the winners. About thirty-five people won, four of them were from Pakistan, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and three of them were women. I gave a speech about the amount of research and progress in Iran.

I went to my office. Mr. Kamal Kharazi, [Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations] came. They talked about my trip to New York. I answered hesitantly. He said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States has pressured to return the place it had reserved for the delegation in the Hilton Hotel. He praised the success of the International Information newspaper in America and the spraying of the international space.

Dr. [Alireza] Marandi, [Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education] and deputies came and told about the lack of funds for universal insurance. A meeting was arranged to discuss the issue with the program and budget organization.

Mr. [Mohammadreza] Nematzadeh, [Minister of Industries] came. He complained about the report of the National Inspection Organization about the sale of factories and the pressure of the leadership office. In the evening, at the government meeting, we approved the employees' holiday. A month's salary and extraordinary job that has a heavy financial burden.

Guardsmen and their families were my guests. After breaking the fast, I spoke to them briefly. I did the work and came home.