Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – September 3, 1997

The members of the Advisory Commission of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution came. Mr. Mokhbar [Dezfuli] reported and appreciated my support in strengthening the commission and expressed concern about the possibility of weakening after me. They gave me a Quran as a gift for my support and services. I also appreciated their good expert services.

Mr. [Hossein] Mousavian, our ambassador in Germany, came; They have been wandering in Iran for months. He consulted about accepting another job, which I said yes. After the meeting of [Foreign Minister] Mr. [Kamal] Kharazi with the European foreign ministers at the United Nations, especially the Italian foreign minister's statements - that they want to solve their problem with Iran - probably by terminating the service of the German ambassador, so that the issue of his late arrival and discrimination will be eliminated. In addition, he is upset with Mr. Kharazi's action in changing the deputies. He believes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has left [Janah]. Yesterday, Mr. [Abbas] Maliki had the same problem, especially since he didn't even give them a deposit schedule.

Mr. [Abbas] Akhundi came and consulted for accepting the responsibility of the executive staff of the Imam's decree, which was proposed by the leadership office; He does not want to, especially if it is not the order of the leadership. The new Minister of Housing and Urban Development [Mr. Ali Abdul Alizadeh] expressed concern about the new conditions and lack of information about the policies of the housing programs.

In the evening, Mr. [Ali] Karimi [Quddosi], [the head of the tulit] came from Astan Quds [Razavi]. He appreciated my effective support of the development budget for the renovation of the Holy Shrine and asked me to continue the support. He expressed concern about the possibilities of the country's situation in the new conditions and asked me to be the focus of the committed forces and clergy to solve the problem. I said that I would like to be neutral, unless the situation reaches a point where I feel obligated. Mr. [Mohammed] Raisi came from Shahrekord and gave a general description of the construction plans. I had an interview with Sedavasima for the anniversary of Martyr [Ali] Qudousi.

Today at 5:30 in the morning, after the prayer, we went to Noroodi Mountain to Kolakchal. A group of Semnani students were reading Ashura pilgrimage there. I greeted them. We returned home at eight in the morning. In the heights, there was also wind and storm. In Kolakchal, due to the lack of rain this year, they had water problems for the trees, green space and swimming pool.

Even though the IRGC and the Ministry of Education have been fighting over the ownership of that place for years, it is now under the control of Education and Education. Except for a small building that is in the hands of the IRGC, but there is no presence or activity of education and such a good place is unprosperous. It has an interesting tower that was built before the revolution and is being repaired. The tower has nine floors and there is a possibility of having a dormitory or a museum on each floor. I went up the narrow stairs to the top of the tower, which was not safe and caused the guards to panic and wonder. The facade of the tower is covered with small square and rectangular stones, on each stone the name of a scout unit from all over the country is written and it is related to before the revolution. It shows that it used to be prosperous and an interesting museum.