Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – May 9, 1993

At seven o'clock in the morning, I went to the Nihad [Presidential] club without fasting. We organized a meeting of the government board where the members of the government are checked. Dr. [Reza] Malekzadeh, [Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education], had arranged the examinations. I was also examined for my heart, eyes, ears, organs, blood pressure, etc.; It was generally satisfactory. They took blood for testing. We had breakfast and there was a government meeting at one o'clock.

I went to my office at half past ten. Mr. [Ismail] Shushtri, the Minister of Justice, came. He explained his services to the judiciary and the satisfaction of the judges and staff and Mr. [Mohammed] Yazdi, [head of the judiciary]. I also confirmed and said that Mr. Yazdi wants to keep him in the next cabinet.

Mr. Masih Mohajeri, [director of the Islamic Republic newspaper and social advisor to the president] came. He talked about the problems of the press due to the single rate of currency and about his own problems in the Islamic Republic newspaper and lack of mobility and work in social counseling. [Mr. Gholamhossein Karbaschi], the mayor of Tehran, came. He gave the report of the municipality's work and consulted on Meyuh and Tarbar square and issues of the bus company. He gave comments about land and elections.

Mohsen came. He reported the wheat market and talked about traveling with chastity. [Mr. Hossein Kamali], Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, and Mr. [Mohammed] Salah, [Deputy Minister of Labor], came. They talked about the Supreme Council of Technical and Vocational Education and the problem of its interference with the Supreme Council of Applied Sciences, which I decided to solve. Salmani came for correction. In the afternoon, the office work was done.

In the evening Mr. [Hossein] Mahluji, [Minister of Mines and Metals] came. He gave a report on the works of mines and metals and announced that one of the Italian ministers proposed to sell the Boeing 747 airplane. He expressed concern about some harsh positions.

Mr. [Bijan Namdar] Zanganeh, [Energy Minister] and the dam construction engineers came and reported the damage to the Shahid Abbaspur dam spillway. They presented the repair plan and asked for credit. Mr. [Abdullah] Nouri, the Minister of Interior, and his deputy, Mr. [Rasoul] Zargar, came. They told about the lack of credits of the municipalities and their many needs and asked for help. Elections and political and social issues were discussed.

Mr. [Ali] Karimi, deputy governor of Astan Quds [Razavi] came. He thanked Astana for my help and asked the organizations to complete construction projects and pay their demands. Mr. [Abbas Waez] Tabasi, [Tawlit Astan Quds Razavi] said, he is in a worse condition after the surgery.

I was the guest of the leader. We discussed the presidential election, his trip to the north, the future cabinet, the letter from the European Community, my interview with Time magazine, the illogical positions of Mr. [Ahmad] Janati and Afghanistan issues. I came home late.