Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – March 2, 1997

From home, we went to Shahid Beheshti University for the opening of the "Review of Women's Rights in Iran's Civil Laws" conference. Chastity was also with me. Fati established and manages this conference and I accepted at his insistence. Before me, he read a speech; It wasn't bad either. Then I gave a speech on Islam's attention to women's rights, balanced and according to nature.

We went to my office. [Mr. Alireza Marandi], the Minister of Health and his deputies and [Mr. Hamid Mirzadeh], the head of the Program and Budget Organization, came to discuss the issue of the Ministry's lack of funds. After the investigation, it was decided to pay 10 billion tomans for the time being, and another 20 billion tomans will be investigated. Mr. Syed Morteza Askari came. He requested missionary training schools and advised to pay more attention to the problems of Iraqi immigrants to Iran. I had a radio and television interview for a trip to Bushehr. In the evening Mr. [Mohammed Reza] Nouri [Shahrudi], our ambassador in Saudi Arabia came. He gave a report on measures to restore the coldness of relations. He is optimistic about the future and said that the family's trip to Saudi Arabia had a great effect on improving relations.

The Supreme National Security Council had a meeting. The danger of American aggression and the American message were discussed by Mr. Niazoff; We decided to give an answer. Regarding the issues with Germany, regarding the Mykonos court, and with Türkiye, regarding the expulsion of the embassies of the two countries, a decision was made. Mr. [Ali Mohammad] Basharti [Minister of the Interior] reported the earthquake in Ardabil, which has more than 500 dead and thousands injured. I decided to send a delegation to examine the aid. At night, Dr. [Hasan] Rouhani came and consulted about the possibility of running for the presidency, and finally said that he will not run.