Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – May 24, 1981

I went to the Parliament. I was fasting as well. The bill to abolish the Imperial Decree was successfully concluded and passed. But because of my state of mind, I lost my temper two or three times. On the days when I am irritable, managing the affairs of the Parliament becomes difficult.

I spoke with Mr. Baghani and asked him to help with completing or carrying out the subject index of the Quran. At noon, I contacted Mr. Lajvardi, the Tehran Revolutionary Prosecutor, regarding those accused of forging the Central Bank documents. It was agreed that if they gave an interview, told the truth, and informed the people of the facts, their sentences would be reduced. We are not seeking revenge. The discovery of the truth and the interests of the Revolution are what matter.

I spoke with Mr. Khayyer, the acting head of the Plan and Budget Organization, about an inappropriate proviso that would deprive the government of new, competent, ideologically committed personnel. It was agreed that we should think of a solution.

Mr. [Ali] Larijani, the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), came and consulted with me about carrying out the purchase contracts for technical equipment that we had entered into with the United States in the past and that we need. I said there was no obstacle to negotiating. We have already paid most of the money, and if we withdraw, we will incur considerable losses. They are also interesting and useful pieces of equipment, so it would be better to acquire them.

In the afternoon, I attended a meeting of the party’s Central Council, and at night, at a joint meeting of the party’s supportive representatives and executive officials, the judicial authorities responded to the criticisms.