Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – March 20, 1984

Early in the morning, after the prayer, I went to the assembly. We had put the amendment of the budget bill - after the objections of the Guardian Council - on the agenda of the parliament. Because it was necessary to approve the budget bill before the beginning of the new year, we kept the representatives; Although it was an official holiday. It was approved by the parliament without any effort. The progress of the work was also good due to the haste of the representatives to look for other work. If we were under normal conditions - which was done today within two hours - it would have taken two or three sessions. I signed the letters and returned home before noon so that the guards could be at home at the time of delivery.

Several representatives came to get approval for the election, but I refused to avoid interfering in the election. Some ask for confirmation on the pretext that it has been spread that I do not accept them, but in any case, it is possible to express an opinion to the extent of verbal denial so that it is not used for propaganda. For lunch, Agha Jalal brought me fish rice from his home, and in the evening, the guards cooked turnips.

Mr. Mohsen Rezaei informed from the front that the enemy used a chemical bomb today and nearly 200 people were injured and 6 people were martyred. We talked to Mr. President on the phone about this and about the differences between the air force commander and Colonel [Abbas] Babayi - which causes problems at work. It is clear that the Iraqis are using everything in their power to prevent the success of the Khyber operation. Information says that foreign advisers have told them that if Iran achieves the goals of this operation, it means absolute victory in the war.