clashes at gravesides, the real number remained unknown. In his memoirs, Alam notes the number of the dead to be about 200, saying that he immediately arranged for their families to receive a pension from the government. For the first time in a decade, martial law was imposed on the city, along with a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Hoping to preserve quiet for a while, Alam also announced that troops would remain on emergency duty. Their orders: shoot to kill. Minister of the Royal Court In 1964, he was appointed as chancellor of Shiraz University and a few years later served host to the King of Belgium in his visit to Fars Province. Beginning in December 1966 he was the minister of court for many years. Furthermore, he was the head and bursar of the Pahlavi Foundation. He was also a supporter of the campaign of Richard Nixon, during the United States presidential elections. As the minister of the Royal Court he was the closest man to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who now ran the country autocratically. Therefore, Alam became the channel through which most of the daily affairs of the country passed. Alam's memoirs, published posthumously, are exceptionally detailed documents on the life and the deeds of the Shah as perceived by an insider. List of positions held As written by Alam himself in his memoirs in 1972. Manager of Imam Reza's shrine in Mashad, AKA "Aastaan-e Qods-e Razavi" The Shah's inspector of all universities Chairman of the board of trustees of the Pahlavi University Chairman of the board of trustees of the Aryamehr University Chairman of the board of trustees of the Pars School for Higher Education (Madreseye Aalyi-e Pars) The Shah's special liaison with foreign ambassadors (for issues too confidential to pass through the Foreign Ministry) Head of the board of trustees of the Mashad University Indispensable member of the board of trustees of the University of Tehran Indispensable member of the board of trustees of the University of Tabriz Chairman of the Royal Horse Institute (Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi was the honorary head) Chairman of the royal institute of the Rural Culture Houses (Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi was the honorary head) Chairman of the National Scouts Committee Head of Kaanun-e Kaar (Labor Institute) Deputy chairman of the (IOSS) (Princess Ashraf Pahlavi was the head) Deputy chairman of the Red Lion and Sun Society (Princess Shams Pahlavi was the