Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – March 26, 1989

At half past eight, Mr. [Abdul Majid] Maadikhah [Chairman of the Islamic Revolution History Foundation] came. He gave a report on the work of the History Foundation and complained about the lack of funds. I arrived at the parliament at half past ten.

Timsar [Mansoor] Sattari [Commander of the Air Force] came and reported on his trip to Pakistan; is satisfied He believes that Pakistanis have been very friendly. They have also told their secrets and presented their military facilities to our delegation. They have given some rare spare parts and are ready for any cooperation.

Mr. Saadat Far came from Kerman. He is a student of Kermani. In Kerman Medical School, he is teaching education and studying medicine informally. He applied to be admitted to Islamic Azad University's medical department without an entrance exam. I said it is impossible for them to accept without entrance exam. He prepares himself to participate in the entrance exam. It turned out that he participated last year and was not accepted.

In the evening, Mr. Khamenei came to my office directly from his trip to Mashhad. We discussed the Imam's decision regarding Mr. Montazeri. The opinion of both of them was that it is not expedient for him to be dismissed in this way. In the meantime, Ahmad Agha called and said that the Imam had written a sharp letter to Mr. Montazeri in response to his previous letter and asked that it be broadcast on the radio, but they refused to broadcast it after insisting, and it was decided that if Mr. Montazeri surrendered and did not express a reaction, it would not be broadcast and suggested that Mr. Khamenei and I take the letter to Qom. We said we are thinking about it.

Mr. [Ali] Meshkini, [Ibrahim] Amini, [Syedhasan] Taheri and [Mohammed] Momen, members of the presiding committee of the Majlis of Experts, came from Qom to consult about the Imam's answer regarding Mr. Montazeri. We discussed for a while. Everyone's opinion was that, first of all, efforts should be made for the resignation of the Imam. Mr. Meshkini was skeptical about the usefulness of this effort. Mr. Mousavi Ardabili said on the phone that they heard from Mr. [Syed Mohammad Mousavi] Khoeini [the Attorney General of the country] that the Imam's letter was scheduled to be broadcast on the radio.

Mr. Khamenei, Meshkini and Amini and I came to Jamaran without prior appointment to negotiate with the Imam. We arrived at half past nine. Although they usually do not meet at these times, they accepted. Ayatollah Khamenei and I talked about the preference of keeping Mr. Montazeri and finding a way to adjust and control him. Imam refused seriously. I suggested that the tone of the letter should be modified, and others agreed. Imam did not accept and finally it was decided that we should not take the letter, they should send it themselves. He entrusted the administration of the schools to Mr. Amini.

We came to my house. We announced dinner from outside. We discussed the consequences of the removal of Ayatollah Montazeri. They left around twelve o'clock at night, I also slept with depression. It was decided that convening a meeting of experts is not necessary for now. Imam also confirmed the same; Except for determining the task of the future leadership.