Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – January 23, 1996

In the reports, the debate between the two electoral groups of the fighting clerical community and the group of servants [= construction agents] from the executive branch, has heated up and mainly over the method of "supporting me" which has been the slogan of the two terms of the fighting clerical community. We went to Saadabad for the second round of negotiations with the Turkmen guests. In the informal meeting, we reviewed the results of the negotiations between the ministers, and the issues that could not be agreed upon were completed with the decision of me and Mr. Niyazov, and all the issues of the negotiations were concluded. Then, in our presence, the double taxation agreement document was signed and the way of holding the operation ceremony of Mashhad-Sorkh-Tajn railway was concluded.

We went to the airport. On the way, they talked about the currency issues of Turkmenistan. I pointed out the problems of establishing the currency exchange, which they consider due to the lack of currency. It seemed to me that they have a serious management problem. At the airport, there was a detailed interview with both of us talking about decisions and results. They left with an official farewell. Interestingly, whatever I wanted, he agreed without hesitation.

I went to my office. Mr. Dr. [Mohammedreza] Hashemi [Golpaigani, Minister of Culture and Higher Education] came. He explained the achievements of the Ministry of Science. I don't know why this time, unlike the previous times when he raised the problems, he only mentioned the improvements. In the evening Mr. Siros Naseri, [Iranian representative at the UN office in Geneva] came. Negotiations with King Hussein [King of Jordan] said that it was an incomplete explanation of the plan to federalize Iraq. They are supposed to send a representative to Jordan and he insisted on establishing relations with Egypt.

In the evening, the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution had a meeting. There was a basic discussion about the number of medical students needed, and we reached a half-finished conclusion and it was scheduled to be completed. The Ministry of Health wants to reduce the number of admissions, and some are against it. The status quo looks good for a few more years. Several university presidents were approved. The plan to formalize education in religious fields was completed and approved, which is important and a change in fields. I arrived home at half past nine. The hot discussion of the media is the election and the reaction to the statement of sixteen members of the cabinet.