Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 17, 1996

In the reports, the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq and the impeachment of [Najmuddin] Arbakan in the Turkish Parliament, due to the issues of his trip to Libya, Gaddafi's statements, and the increase in the price of oil are of interest. Akhvi Mohammad, [executive vice president], came for the affairs of reconstruction and regulation of the market and elections. Mr. [Syed Mohammad] Khatami, [Director of the National Library] came. He appealed for the affairs of the National Library and complained about the harassment of Mr. Javad Larijani and expressed his happiness that the assembly of militant clerics who had been angry for a long time and insisted that Engineer Mousavi be nominated came to the field. Mr. [Ali Akbar] Abu Torabi, [Nomanideh Wali Faqih in Azadgan Affairs] and [Syed Mohsen] Yahiavi came and asked for help to get a minnow factory for Azadgan.

I went to the Majlis for the funeral ceremony of 750 martyrs whose bodies were recently found in the borders of Iraq. A large crowd had come. Mr. [Mortaza] Al-Vairi, [Head of Free Trade Zones Organization] came. It was talked about the managing directors of free zones. In the meeting of the government board, the discussion of the poverty alleviation bill continued.

In the evening, the central council [community] of the clergy [Moborz Tehran] had a meeting. The majority insisted that Mr. [Ali Akbar] Natiq [Nuri, as the supported candidate in the presidential election] be voted for. Mr. Dr. [Hasan] Rohani also raised the possibility of his candidacy; They are worried about this difference and the competition between Mr. [Mohammed Mohammadi] Ray Shahri and Mr. Engineer [Mirhossein] Mousavi. It was decided to talk and consult with the community of teachers [theological field] of Qom first, and then take a vote in the next meeting. I stayed in my office at night.