Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 14, 1998

Mr. Engineer [Shahriyar] Nafisi came [from the Industrial Research Institute]. He gave a report on the situation of small factories producing paper from straw and the problems they face due to the fact that their pulp is not bought by large paper factories, and he asked for loans and sales of paper pulp.

Mr. [Gholamreza] Khansari, [Director of Khorram Safa Palm Oil Production Company], came from the people of Khorramshahr. He applied for the activation of the palm oil purification project in Khorramshahr; It has unenforceable statements. In the afternoon, Eftat was in the office. In the evening, the ladies of the ministers, deputies and advisers of my government were his guests. I greeted them. In the evening Dr. [Mohammed Hossein] Adeli, [Iranian Ambassador to Canada] came. He gave a report on the exchanges between Iran and Canada and said that during his previous trip to Iran, he felt that there was a gap between the leadership and the people, and on this trip, after four months, he felt that some of the people had become insolent in opposing the leadership, and suggested that it should be thought of to reduce this gap.

Dr. [Hasan] Rouhani, [Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council] came. It was decided to activate the research center [Assembly for the Expediency of the Nizam] and start a new building, and we discussed the low prosperity of expert elections and economic and political problems. The crisis centers of Iraq, Kosovo, Türkiye, Syria, Iran, and Afghanistan are witnessing calm today.

Before noon, the International Thalassemia Federation came to meet. [Mr. Engelsos], the Cypriot head of that gave a report and asked me to ask Fati to participate in the next conference in Cyprus and praised Iran's extensive efforts to support thalassemia patients. I also explained about their free insurance in Iran, as well as prevention through pre-marriage testing and allowing abortion of thalassemia carriers, etc.