Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 8, 1995

As usual, we had breakfast with family members. I read the reports and accompanied the mayor to the airport and flew to the Philippines. In these few days, I asked many questions about the economic, political and cultural situation and about the limits of ownership and freedom. They are moving away from communism, but the ownership of land, industries, mines, transportation and many other things are still owned by the government. In the cases of production and productivity and macro statistics, I did not receive accurate answers. The name and title of the municipality is not appropriate to the many powers of the local governments.

In the Philippines, several ministers and vice presidents and Iranians were welcomed at the airport, but the ceremony was held later in the palace. The Minister of Energy, who was appointed as my companion, did not get in the car because of a mistake that he thought I wanted our ambassador to be in my car, and I was practically deprived of getting the information I wanted until the place of residence. The accommodation is a big and famous hotel in Manila. All high-ranking guests are received here; On the top floor, which overlooks the sea and the great port of Manila and is very clean. There is also a clean swimming pool on our floor. We ate lunch as a family and self-service.

In the evening we went to the presidential palace. Due to the rain, the Sun ceremony was held in an indoor hall, with ball playing. Then we had a meeting of limited negotiations and official negotiations around the table with the presence of several ministers. The topics of negotiation were completed in advance by the ministers. The memorandums had been prepared and the negotiations were for clarification and confirmation. Then the memorandums were signed; About oil and shrimp farming and apple and banana trade and ferrochrome factory, agricultural and livestock farm and phosphate fertilizer and the tripartite agreement between Turkmenistan, Iran and the Philippines for transportation. We returned to the hotel. I watched TV for an hour. Forty-six TV channels are available, mostly Eastern. There were also some western channels. Satellite is used.

We went to the presidential palace for dinner. First, in a family meeting with his wife and daughter [Mr. Fidel Ramos], the president of the Philippines, Efat, Fati, Faeza, Mehdi, Yaser, Maryam, Azam, and Ali, we talked a little about family and jobs. The banquet ceremony was separate for men and women. At the dinner table, he and I had a speech. The dishes were prepared from fish and vegetables. They have a luxurious hall. It was made by Mrs. Aquino, who is now a member of parliament and accused of abuse in court.