Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 16, 1996

Efat went to London to continue treatment and I went to my office. The members of the Federation of Asian and European Stock Exchanges came. Dr. Nurbakhsh, [CEO of the Central Bank] reported and the chairman of the assembly, who is from Türkiye, thanked me. I also made a short speech about the role of stock exchanges and the progress of Tehran Stock Exchange and the importance of stock exchange cooperation. [Mr. Seyed Hashem Bani Hashemi], the governor of Qom, came and requested for the design of Astana Square and the establishment of a protected area in Salafchegan.

[Mr. Qazi Ahmed], Chief Justice of India came. The talks were formal. He gave explanations about Indian judicial customs and Babri Masjid issues and the case of Mr. [Narasimha] Rao, the former Prime Minister. [Mr. Barzan Tikriti], the envoy of Saddam Hussein, the president of Iraq, came. He is the head of the security organization [= intelligence]. He has made an unannounced trip. He gave Saddam's verbal message, explaining their problems due to economic sanctions and suggested resolving differences and cooperation between Iran and Iraq. I also accepted the principle of usefulness of cooperation, but I emphasized that we must implement the Osra issue and the resolution and agreement [of Algeria] of 1975 to pave the way for cooperation.

Dr. [Hasan] Habibi came. We talked about current issues and the Expediency Council. The Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution had a meeting at night. We completed the review and approval of the usual days and weeks throughout the year. We had a detailed discussion about the problems that have arisen due to the change of the education system, which did not end. I stayed the night in my office. Today we had snow in the Alborz highlands and extensive rain.