Mr. [Issa] Kalantari, the Minister of Agriculture, arrived. He provided a report on the drought, the severe drop in water levels at the Sefidrud Dam, the serious threat to Gilan's rice fields, and the scorching of many rain-fed wheat crops. He stated that the damage caused by the drought amounts to around 10,000 billion rials, and noted that given the country's other economic difficulties and the weak performance of executive officials, there is cause for concern.
Mr. [Issa] Kalantari, the Minister of Agriculture, arrived. He provided a report on the drought, the severe drop in water levels at the Sefidrud Dam, the serious threat to Gilan's rice fields, and the scorching of many rain-fed wheat crops. He stated that the damage caused by the drought amounts to around 10,000 billion rials, and noted that given the country's other economic difficulties and the weak performance of executive officials, there is cause for concern. He asked me to monitor the situation more closely. There was discussion about the negative movements of extreme right and left factions and the need to strengthen the independent sector. Criticism was leveled against the smear campaign by the Abrar newspaper [in the "Memoirs of Behnam al-Saltaneh" column], which is under the influence of extremist elements. He brought the preliminary technical report on the transfer of water from Sirdan to Pol-e Zahab; it is positive.
Mr. [Seyed Nematollah] Qaderi, former [Iranian] ambassador to Tanzania, arrived. Expressing appreciation for the "Look to Africa" policy during the Construction administration and the significant impact of my ten-day trip to East Africa, he criticized the current state of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—complaining in particular that no assignments are given to him or to many experienced political figures. He is interested in working at the [Expediency Discernment] Council.
In the evening, Dr. [Mohammad Ali] Izadi, Minister of Agriculture in Engineer [Mehdi] Bazargan's government, appealed for help to repossess his agricultural lands from farmers who refuse to return them despite a court ruling. They owned 1,200 hectares of land in Shiraz, shared between himself and his relatives, half of which was redistributed early in the revolution. He praised my memoir book, The Era of Struggle (Doran-e Mobarazeh), and brought a book he wrote on the role of zakat in meeting the financial needs of the Islamic state. Mr. [Ali Asghar] Morvarid arrived. He expressed concern over current affairs in the country and the revolution, wanting to hear my perspective.
In the evening, we went to the headquarters of the Islamic Republic Party [on Sarcheshmeh Street] for the memorial ceremony of the martyrs of Hafte Tir. I delivered a speech. A good crowd had gathered. Dinner was served.
In the news, the issue of the press law reform and the election law currently being debated in Parliament are drawing attention, and foreign media attached significance to the statements made by Mr. [Seyed Mohammad] Khatami, [President], at the Judiciary meeting.
I arrived home late. Faezeh had brought dinner. She returned yesterday morning from the Umrah pilgrimage; she is pleased with her trip. During her three days in Riyadh, she met with Crown Prince Abdullah [of Saudi Arabia] and Saud Al Faisal, [Minister of Foreign Affairs]; they treated her with respect and hosted a family reception. She said they spoke with great admiration of my role in expanding relations, resolving grievances, and rebuilding Iran. In Medina and Mecca, they were occupied with pilgrimage duties; they were guests of the Saudis.
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