Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – January 6, 1997

First, Mohsen came and told about the problems of the subway; visited yesterday [Mr. Abdul Samad Heydarov], the new ambassador of Uzbekistan, came to present the credentials. He delivered his speech in Persian language; The talks were formal. Dr. Habibi, [first vice president] came. He gave the report of his trip to Armenia and Tajikistan and said that he has no intention of running for the presidency, but it was decided not to announce it for the time being. Mr. [Syed Mohammad] Khatami is also apparently waiting for Dr. Habibi's decision.

The [General Assembly] of Tehran Metro had a meeting in my presence. Mr. [Asghar] Ebrahimi, [CEO of Metro Company], reported and it turned out that he will not be able to operate the metro until the end of this year; Previously, they were supposed to prepare the Tehran-Karaj line on 22 Bahman. The members are also doubtful about his new promise to launch in the spring of 2016; It was decided not to accept the launch of a show, but to speed up the completion of the work. He considers the main problem to be the lack of wagons and signaling. Despite the contract with the Chinese, Mr. Ebrahimi proposes to buy 42 new wagons from Russia and get the signaling from Alcatel [France]. It was suggested to the Chinese to prepare early. Mohsen does not trust Mr. Ebrahimi's words and methods.

In the evening, at the meeting of the government board, I consulted about the establishment of the Asia-Africa Foundation; They agreed. I came home at night. Yaser and Maryam welcomed. The nurses, Fatima and Tahira, came to say goodbye; They are going for Umrah. In the news, the drought in our region and the abundant snow and rain in Europe, America and the Far East, which caused floods, cold and many casualties, are a cause for surprise and attention.