Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – November 20, 1996

Mohammad, our worker passed away. He reported the situation and got help. He said that with the price of pistachios, the situation of the people has improved. [Mr. Manitmir Sharifovich Shaimiov], the president of the Autonomous Republic of Tatarstan, came and gave a report on their situation with a group of companions and the Russian ambassador. They have taken many freedoms and are still striving for complete independence. They have good oil and gas mines and heavy industries, and the majority of their people are Muslims. He said, people will build mosques quickly. They want more cooperation with Iran. He had brought a watch with the Iranian flag printed on it as a gift.

The board of trustees of Jamia Al-Zahra (PBUH) came from Qom. They thanked me for the help I gave to the community to buy Zanbil Abad garden and asked for help for future plans. I remitted and said that we will give a part of the houses that we build to accommodate foreign students in Qom to their students. There are about 600 female foreign students; Approximately 10 percent of female students in the community.

Mr. Masih Mohajeri, [president's social advisor] came. He said some of the positive effects of my African trip and reminded me of the good results of my policy, based on love for the countries of Central Asia, which led to the creation of trust, despite their initial fear and the weak performance of our ambassadors. And he expressed concern about the lack of spirit and prosperity of the presidential elections due to the lack of serious competition and said that Mr. [Mir Hossein] Mousavi has announced that he will not run because of the threatening words of some people.

Mr. Sadegh Kharazi came. He expressed concern about the situation after me and the possibility of spoiling the achievements of the first and second programs and asked for help to introduce Iran for the publication of an economic magazine. In the evening of the Supreme Administrative Council meeting, we had three resolutions; Reforming the structure of the Ministry of Energy and organizing land border terminals was done under the responsibility of the Ministry of Roads and Transport. Ayatollah Khamenei called to have a meeting regarding the German [Mykonos Court] issues.