Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 18, 1993

At half past seven in the morning, we went to the airport to travel to Central Asian countries. [Mr. Ali Akbar Velayati, Seyyed Mohammad Reza Hashemi Golpaigani and Akbar Turkan], the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Culture and Higher Education, and Roads and Transportation, as well as a number of other officials are accompanying. Efat, Yasser, Fati and his son Ali are together. The Republic Pavilion was ready after the repair. Some of the ministers and representatives had come to see him off. I gave a short interview and we were sent off with an official ceremony. The 747 plane was ready.

We took off at 8:30 and landed at Tashkent airport in Uzbekistan at 11:15 Tehran time. On the way, Mr. Turkan talked about our negotiations with Turkey regarding transit and the passage of trucks through the territory of the two countries, and Mr. Dr. Hashemi talked about the policies of higher education, and Mr. Velayati about the issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. [Hasan] Rouhani, [First Vice President of the Majlis and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council], talked about various issues.

In Tashkent, Mr. Islam Karimov, the President of Uzbekistan and members of the cabinet and ambassadors living in this country welcomed him. They didn't have a ceremony or a parade, but a group of people dressed in local costumes played tar and drum. I had a short interview in the airport hall and we went to the city with the president. The streets are all wide and tree-lined with many parks and tram and subway lines. Mainly, the buildings are built in the form of building blocks with many floors and with suitable distances.

Mr. Karimoff said that since the destructive earthquake of 1966 when the whole city was destroyed, the city has been built correctly with proper engineering and good materials. On the way, he gave good explanations about important buildings, squares and statues. Answered many questions. He has no consideration for answering and does not leave questions unanswered. Our residence is in the north of the city in a large garden.

Provincial and clerical men and their wives are also with us. We prayed and had lunch together. Their food is not dissimilar to our food. Mr. Islam Karimoff came to my residence and gave me gifts such as local and hand-woven clothes in the presence of journalists.

Then we had a round of private negotiations. It was mostly about the issues of Tajikistan, which was asking us to end the conflict and war. Mr. Karimoff is very suspicious of the Russians and claims that they are inciting both sides of the conflict and that it is their policy in all the republics not to let them become independent. We promised to help.

Then we went to the government hall of the peoples. A huge building with large and luxurious halls located in a very wide square. We had an official meeting. After negotiations, with my suggestion, seven committees were appointed to work on foreign policy, higher education, trade, culture, industry, and road and transportation. It was a good meeting.

Then we had a joint press interview in another hall. Each person was asked two questions. He spoke in detail and I spoke briefly.