Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – September 25, 1993

Abkhaz separatists can smell the defeat of Yeltsin's opponents in Russia and the defeat of the Georgian government in Sukhumi, [the center of the Republic of Abkhazia].

At half past nine in the morning, [Mr. Yusuf bin Alavi], the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman, came. More was discussed about the Palestinian issue. He wanted to justify the action of the Arabs in compromising with Israel; I did not accept and finally he accepted that he acted against the right from a position of weakness and advised us not to go too fast. It is claimed that Syria and Lebanon will reach an agreement soon and we are alone and the world will not tolerate opposition. He wanted to make sure that we will not take any practical action against Arab countries. I said that we have no basis for practical action and we will not hide our opinion. I criticized Arab countries for not using their power for Palestine.

A group of families of several martyrs came. I spoke to them. They raised complaints from the judiciary. They sent a lot of letters and they really have high expectations.

Mr. [Feridon] Verdinejad came. He gave the report of the news agency of the Islamic Republic, as well as the plan of presenting news in the form of radio and television and public bulletins and establishing a newspaper that is also an organ of the government, in order to fill the people's time with correct news and to get rid of the abuse of foreign media, and asked for help for the facilities. I gave notices.

Mr. [Mohammed Baqer] Navisi came. He expressed politeness and was angry that I did not agree with him as the political deputy of the Ministry of Interior. I explained to him and apparently he was satisfied. Mr. [Abd al-Majid] Maadikhah [head of the Islamic Revolution History Foundation] came. He had suggestions for compiling the history of the revolution.

In the evening, Mr. [Hussein] Sheikh al-Islam, [Deputy Arabic for Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs] came. He gave the report of his trip to Syria and talks with Mr. [Hafiz] Assad and [Abdul Halim] Khaddam, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Palestinian groups. Dr. Velayati came and asked to travel to New York to participate in the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr. Ali Hojjati Kermani came. He stated that he was happy that he has reached the rank of assistant professor in the university through [the charter] of journalists without a degree. He asked for help for religion and study opportunities.

Mr. [Syed Mohammad Baqer] Hakim, [Speaker of the Supreme Assembly of the Islamic Revolution of Iraq] came. Mr. [Ali] Aghamohammadi, [Chairman of the Iraq Committee] said about Iraq and the situation of the opponents and the drying up of the hoors and the lack of Iranian aid and the lack of activity. He believes that America is still determined to remove Saddam. He demanded to praise the relationship with Iraqi Kurds. I said it would be good if they stop our counter-revolution. I promised to help.

In the evening, Mr. [Sidhossein] Mousaviyan said on the phone from Germany that, after my phone conversation with [German Prime Minister] Mr. [Helmut] Kohl, progress has been made to solve the issue of outstanding debts.