Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – July 15, 1981

Since I had slept at Parliament the previous night, I started work an hour earlier. I read the reports, wrote the Arabic text of the Friday Prayer sermon, and sent it for translation. We had a public session on the budget. Most of the session was spent considering new proposals. Some good proposals were approved. The session continued in the morning and afternoon, and the budget bill was passed. Given the prevailing atmosphere, the government’s opponents were unable to engage in obstructive and time-consuming debates. Altogether, no more than twenty-five hours were spent; had the situation been as it was before, several times that amount of time might have been required.

The election of the presiding board was held. I was once again elected Speaker of Parliament. I had no opponent, and 140 of the 167 members entitled to vote voted for me. Twenty-seven votes were abstentions. Several members whose credentials had not yet been approved were not entitled to vote. The previous administrative officers and four of the previous secretaries were also elected.

In the afternoon, a meeting of the Central Council of the Islamic Republican Party was held in my office. We discussed the party’s performance and Messrs. Dr. Sheibani, Parvaresh, and Asgaroladi, who had cautiously put themselves forward as presidential candidates. The situation for the election has not turned out well. Mr. Rajaei has no serious rival, and all of these men belong to the same group, so they cannot engage in serious competition.

I telephoned the Imam’s office and arranged to meet with him tomorrow to consult about this matter and other issues. I came home with Mr. Bahonar. We discussed various matters on the way. Mr. Bahonar is prepared to accept the premiership.

Haj Ahmad Agha also came to my office today and was concerned about some of the insinuations being made. I decided that I would take action. At night, Dr. Habibollah Peyman came to the house and spoke at length to explain his position. He expressed his support for the Revolution and his readiness to cooperate, and complained about our lack of attention to him. I made it clear to him that his own position in the past had brought about this situation.