Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – June 7, 1992

I reached my office at half past seven. I did the work until half past ten in the morning. [Mr. Mohammad Saidi Kia and Hossein Mahluji], the Ministers of Roads and Transport and Mines and Metals came. There was a negotiation about the transportation plan of iron smelting materials of Isfahan and Mobarakeh. Mr. Mahluji, [Minister of Mines and Metals], was worried about the lack of materials, so we made a reassuring appointment.

Mr. [Siros] Naseri, [Permanent Representative of Iran at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva] and [Mohammed Reza] Albarzi came from Switzerland and expressed their concern about the strained relations with Switzerland over the issue of Mr. [Zia] Sarhadhi, [accused in the murder of Shahpour Bakhtiar]; I said that I have no objection to the normalization of relations.

Dr. [Mustafa] Moin, [Minister of Culture and Higher Education] and deputies came. They reported the ministry's work, which is satisfactory in most areas. They asked for the speed of work; I confirmed and encouraged them. In the evening, I attended the meeting of the government board. The topic of the elections of the Islamic councils of the city and the village, compensation for the damages caused by the many floods this year, etc. were on the agenda.

I was the guest of Ayatollah Khamenei last night. We discussed about the Ministry of Guidance, Governors, Parliament, German hostages in Lebanon and economic programs.

Mr. Ray Shahri informed by phone this evening after the ceremony of acquittal from polytheists in Makkah that it was held well and with the presence of a huge crowd and the Saudis provided a bus to transport the people.