Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – January 25, 1996

Mr. [Mohammed] Vaezzadeh [Khorasani] came. He applied for the provision of a place for the Faculty of Jurisprudence of Islamic Religions; I told the Minister of Education to sell the building they have for sale. Mr. [Ali] Aghamohammadi, [the head of the Iraq Committee] came. Reported the trip to Iraqi Kurdistan. In all cities, people and parties have been well received. They are very interested in Iran and Iranian goods provide an important part of their needs.

Students and teachers of Ayin Roshan School came to condole the death of their parents. Sarah and Mona study there. The principal of the school spoke briefly and I also spoke about the importance of women's education. Dr. Habibi and [brother] Mohammad came. The issue of listing in the elections was discussed. Dr. Habibi, [first vice president], prefers not to give a list. Muhammad prefers that they give; Considering that Ayatollah Khamenei's opinion is that deputies should sign, not ministers.

They called Ayatollah Khamenei and regarding the three possibilities and ways of introducing the candidate, they prefer the second way, i.e. the signature of the deputies and non-ministers, and they do not like the third way. They said, they will not allow any interference to strengthen any of the parties. Their voices are hoarse because of a cold. I told Hossein [Marashi] the result to inform their friends. It was decided to answer a question regarding the claim of the parliamentarians regarding the defamation of the statement of sixteen people [brokers] in order to remove the slander. The office staff and their families were my guests. I also gave them a short talk.