Page 487 – Nejat Society

Mujahedin Khalq Organization as a terrorist group

Report: MEK to join terrorists in Aleppo

Sources revealed that some members of the terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq group (MEK, a.k.a. MKO and PMOI) are going to leave Iraq to join the anti-Assad terrorists through Syria’s northern borders.

“A number of U.S. and Turkish officers accompanied by several commanders of Kurdish Peshmerga forces had a meeting with some high ranking members of the terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization in Erbil, Iraq,” well-informed Iraqi security sources told the Arabic language Top News TV channel.

The sources added that the meeting decreed that Peshmerga forces transfer a number of MKO elements from Iraq to Turkey and then to the northern parts of Syria in order for these anti-Iran terrorists to join the so-called Free Syrian Army.

Directed by Nasser Qandil, Lebanese politician and former Member of Parliament, the news channel added that U.S. and Turkish officials have told the MKO that “Saudi Arabia and Qatar are committed to jointly pay the costs of relocation and resettlement, expected to be roughly $ 250 million,” as well as $ 100 million per month for the militias.

On the other hand, the Americans guaranteed to facilitate the MKO’s secret withdrawal from Iraq to Turkey.

A few days ago, the sources added, Nouri al-Maliki caught Americans off guard by telling them that Iran is aware of the plot of temporary relocation of MKO members to Erbil and they have warned against the move.

“Opposed by the Iraqi Prime Minister, the plan will be done gradually and secretly,” informed sources predicted.

August 7, 2012 0 comments

Iran

West continue using MKO in assassination operations

A senior Iranian legislator called on the government to use the 16th heads- West continue using MKO in assassination operations of-state summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Tehran later this month to counter the West’s nuclear terrorism against Iran.

"The so-called advocates of human rights have launched nuclear terrorism against the Iranian nation’s scientific achievements; they plot to assassinate the Iranian nuclear scientists and make official statements about their intention for manipulating and sabotaging Iran’s nuclear facilities," member of the parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Mohammad Esmayeeli told FNA on Saturday.

"Although NAM members have resisted against the US and the West’s expansionist policies against Iran, our diplomatic apparatus is required to make use of the NAM summit to repel enemy’s terrorist moves against our nuclear program," he added.

Last month the Iranian parliament set up a committee to legally pursue the case with the terrorist activities carried out by the US and its allies against Iran’s achievements in nuclear fields.

Iranian lawmakers told FNA at the time that they have set up a ‘Public and International Rights Committee to legally pursue the enemies’ state-sponsored nuclear terrorism against Iran after the US and its western allies increased state-sponsored terrorism against Iran’s nuclear achievements.

Chairman of the parliament’s Legal Commission Alahyar Malekshahi stated, "Given the anti-Iran moves by enemies of the Islamic Revolution, including assassination of (Iranian) nuclear scientists, computer virus and malware attacks like Stuxnet and given their statements about their intention for manipulating and sabotaging the security of Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament) embarked on the establishment of this committee in a bid to pursue the (enemies’) measures legally."

The US and Israel have made repeated attempts in the last several years to damage Iran’s nuclear and industrial sites through web infiltration and computer malwares.

Computers of some Iranian nuclear sites were attacked by the Stuxnet virus, the first known computer worm discovered in 2010 to target industrial controls.

In addition to viruses, enemies of Iran tried to hinder Iran’s nuclear progress through assassination of the country’s elites and nuclear scientists.

Western spy agencies, collaborated by the terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO), have assassinated several Iranian scientists in the last three years.

In the fifth attack of its kind in two years, terrorists killed a 32-year-old Iranian scientist, Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, and his driver on January 11.

The blast took place on the second anniversary of the martyrdom of Iranian university professor and nuclear scientist, Massoud Ali Mohammadi, who was also assassinated in a terrorist bomb attack in Tehran in January 2010.

The assassination method used in the bombing was similar to the 2010 terrorist bomb attacks against the then university professor, Fereidoun Abbassi Davani – who is now the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization – and his colleague Majid Shahriari. While Abbasi Davani survived the attack, Shahriari was martyred.

Another Iranian scientist, Dariush Rezaeinejad, was also assassinated through the same method on 23 July 2011.
Fars News, Tehran, August 05 2012
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9104252777

August 7, 2012 0 comments

Mr. Kobler, Avoid repeating the error!

The intricate problem and deadlock in issue of relocation of Camp Ashraf residents to Camp Liberty is not only result of the MeK leadership’s excuses and blackmail, but part of that, and Mr. Kobler, Avoid repeating the error! perhaps its major part, relates to the incorrect entry of the United Nations to this file and the more incorrect decisions of the UNAMI and the UNHCR on this topic.

These errors can be investigated in two areas:

First, basically the UN and the UNHCR should not follow the America’s wrong path in giving special and illegal privileges to the terrorist group MeK, and during the review of Camp Ashraf residents’ application for asylum , instead of being caught in the MeK leadership’s trap, they should adopt a more correct decision.

The fact is that the camp’s residents are guilty and the UN cannot and should not facilitate terms of harboring criminals and especially those who create plenty of potential and actual risks for international peace and security. Even if the UNAMI authorities succeed in their path, they have established a wrong tradition that causes to escape criminals from legal proceedings.

When the UNHCR engaged to process Camp Ashraf residents’ application for refugee, from the first it should deal with individuals and entities, such as the all files that it handle throughout the world; but regrettably committed a fundamental mistake and attended to negotiations with the representatives designated by Rajavi, whose task was defending the organizational interests of the MeK, not humanitarian rights of the camp’s residents.

The UN representatives- with good faith- from the first were just thinking about their goals and in the negotiations addressed facilitating the relocation process, while with the two mentioned mistakes they made the situation more intricate, and now suppose that by advising the Iraqi government for restraint and asking the camp residents for collaborating they can take the situation out of the deadlock.

However, the UN authorities should not just think to completion of the relocation from Camp Ashraf to Camp Liberty, but, with the experience of this level, they have to put the overall conclusion on agenda that any negotiation with the persons as representatives of the residents or, more wrong, negotiations with Rajavi’s representatives is an irreversible error that will bring many times more destructive results than the current situation.

August 7, 2012 0 comments

The only way-out of this crisis is the arrest of Rajavis!

Open letter of Mr. Homayoun Kahzadi to Secretary-General of the United Nations Honorable Mr. Ban Ki moon

Secretary General of the United Nations , Mr. Ban Ki moon Mr. Homayoun Kahzadi

Greetings,

You have done all your efforts for the captives in the notorious and infamous castle , Ashraf, but this terrorist cult even vis a vis you who are the highest official in the United Nations do the disobedience and the revolt.

This is the second time in the past two weeks that you as Secretary General of the United Nations have demanded the people’s mujahedin organization to respect the Iraqi regulations and rules of law and evacuate Ashraf on time . Meanwhile you have advised the Iraqi government to stay committed to their human rights commitments but this cult continues its resistance.

Even Mr. Martin Kobler , the head of united nations’ board who around 10 days ago appreciated the Iraqi government’s deed and criticized the people’s mujahedin organization about their delay and weakness in evacuation of Ashraf , he was accused by people’s mujahedin organization of cooperation and collaboration with the Iraqi and Iranian government to annihilate the residents of Ashraf. In this regard the Iraqi national security adviser declared on Monday , the expulsion of the residents of Ashraf does not mean necessarily the use of force or arms but vis a vis the deadlock which according to his statement has been begotten by people’s mujahedin organization , he will resort to any option suitable to evacuate Ashraf but this terrorist cult by resorting to the revolt and Rajavi’s hand made and fake excuses does not want to evacuate this castle.

Mr. Ban Ki moon , this confronting-plan with the relocation has been carried out by the direct order of Rajavi himself , and the only objective which this trickster and imposter pursue is to kill the captive members who have been living miserably in this castle for years . Doubtlessly we should say that if those captives had any option and authority , this castle could had been dismantled long time ago but they are under severe pressure and force which do not allow them to decide and think about their future properly.

Mr. Ban Ki moon

To confront with this disobedience and the revolt and for preventing the bloodshed and killing of those stranded members and for the sake of the families of those captives and for the sake of our captive-friends , we are urging you as Secretary General of the United Nations to deploy your representatives to supervise the relocation of the remaining members from Ashraf to liberty camp because this organization does not understand any language except the language of force. The leaders of this organization by their deeds and attitudes want to provoke the Iraqi government and force them to resort to fight and the bloodshed. All the humanitarian organizations and international conventions have been informed that more than half of the residents of Ashraf , have been relocated to the liberty camp and the rest have remained in Ashraf, is not it obligatory and necessary for the remaining members to go to the liberty camp or can the leaders of this cult by bringing fake excuses obstruct in the relocation process ? as we know that this organization does not relocate even one member without his or her commander , so why have all the high ranking officials of this organization been staying in Ashraf?! , in your opinion , is not it one of the Rajavi’s plans? Surely and doubtlessly he has a new plan in his mind .

Mr. Ban Ki moon do not doubt that this terrorist cult will connect you to the Iranian government because this cult does not know another trick because they have even connected us , the former members of this organization , to the Iranian government and according to Rajavis’ ideology the only people who are honest and flawless are the ring-leaders of this cult !

Mr. Ban Ki moon , I as a former and separated member of this cult am urging you to relocate the remaining members ,who do not have any option and authority , from Ashraf to Liberty camp peacefully and without any bloodshed by cooperation with other humanitarian organizations such as the Red –cross and …etc ,and arrest Rajavi through cooperation and collaboration with the Interpol.

In my opinion the only and the best solution for solving this crisis is to arrest Maryam and Massoud Rajavi and surrender them to the justice.

Respectfully ,
Homayoun Kahzadi

August 7, 2012 0 comments

Missions of Nejat Society

Nejat families urge immediate visit with their children

We are families of Mujahedin- E- Khalq organization members. We founded Nejat Society (Salvation Society) about a decade ago. We have worked here to help release our loved ones who are holding as hostages in the MEK.

We suffer long-term separation from our children who have been imprisoned at camps of Mujahedin Khalq Organization. The group does not allow us to meet them. We have been picketing in front of Camp Ashraf, Iraq for over two and a half years.

Appreciating the efforts by the UN, ICRC and particularly Mr. Martin Kubler who recently presented a roadmap to evacuate Camp Ashraf, we urge them and other related international bodies to pave the way for us to visit our loved ones.

Despite the tough work done by the UN and Iraqi government to move Ashraf residents to Temporary Transit Location (Camp Liberty), the MKO leaders seek to blockade or at least to slow the relocation process by excuse-making and trouble-mongering. They try to tighten the bars of the cult around the members by preventing them from visiting their families.

Where in the world people including prisoners are forbidden to visit their family and friends?
We want our children back in the warm embrace of the family.

The following is a list of requests Nejat families ask to be addressed:

1-that the 1200 people remaining at Camp Ashraf be moved to TTL as soon as possible.
2- That residents of Camp Liberty (TTL) be allowed to meet with their families, relatives and friends freely without the presence of the MKO officials.
3-That UNHCR help find third countries for residents of TTL and help them get residency or refugee there.
4- That residents be granted the right to make phone calls and send letters to their families. Some of them have been never allowed to contact their families for over three decades.
Once again, we support Mr. Martin Kobler’s roadmap on Camp Ashraf and condemn the MKO for the barriers it makes against the plan which complies with the rights of Ashraf and liberty residents and their families .

Sincerely,

August 6, 2012 0 comments

Mujahedin Khalq as an Opposition Group

Is the MKO seeking forceful relocation?

The MKO is not cooperative with the UN and Iraqi government to vacate Camp Ashraf.
Is the MKO seeking forceful relocation?
Following the stall in the relocation process of Ashraf residents to Temporary Transit Location (Camp Liberty], the United Nations mission in Iraq presented a roadmap to the government suggesting series of steps to complete the peaceful relocation of the camp residents.[1]
The MKO’s reluctance to leave Camp Ashraf concerned the UN, the GOI and even the US. Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Iraq, Mr. Martin Kobler said:”our commitment is strictly humanitarian: to facilitate a voluntary temporary relocation of residents to Camp Hurriya as a first step resettlement to countries outside Iraq.”[2]

As Mr. Kobler says, the residents’ relocation is “voluntarily” and “temporary" but the group seems not to be a volunteer to leave the camp and about those who have resettled in TTL, they seem to intend to stay in the new camp for ever or at least not “temporary” for the time being. That’s why they want it to be as equipped as their former ”Ashraf City".

To halt the voluntary evacuation of Camp Ashraf, the MKO uses some repeatedly claimed excuses: they claim that TTL does not meet the residents’ basic humanitarian needs such as water shortage, power generators and air conditioning. However, numerous reports by UNAMI or US State Department confirm that the condition at camp Hurriya (TTL) is not as bad as what the group claims. On July 6th, during a call with reporters, State Department officials spoke on issues related to the MKO. Special Advisor to Secretary Clinton on Camp Ashraf, Ambassador Daniel Fried said that he considered some of the group’s demands legitimate but not all of them. ”Some of the MEK demands are reasonable. For example, given the hot weather in Iraq, they’ve requested more air conditioners”, he said. The Iraqi government has agreed to provide them, that is agreed to allow a special shipment of air conditioners from Camp Ashraf to Camp Liberty and this is being arranged as we speak,” Fried said, ”but it has been frustrating to deal with constantly shifting demands, many demands. We find that US Embassy and State Department and the UN will work to resolve problems and, a la wack-a-mole, you find that new ones- you’re constantly presented with new ones.”[3]

Once more on July23, Ambassador Martin Kobler stated that conditions at TTL comply with UN living standards. He stressed that the UN monitoring team observed the needed water and electricity of the Camp.[4]

While the MKO propaganda accuses the UN and DOS and GOI of committing “outrage” against Ashraf and Liberty residents, the officials of UN, US and Iraq urge on more cooperation to relocate the residents of Ashraf and to facilitate their further resettlement in third countries.
“Time is running out to find out a sustainable situation,” Mr. Kobler said, “Without prospect for resettlement the ongoing process runs the risk of collapsing.”[5]

Seemingly, the MKO is seeking the “collapse” of the UN-US- Iraqi plan to evacuate Camp Ashraf.
The GoI has made it clear that it wants Camp Ashraf shut down and the MeK which once fought alongside Hussein and is designated by the United States as a terrorist organization – to leave Iraq, according to the UN News Centre. [6]

Iraqi authorities have so far taken strong stance against the group’s defiance to leave Camp Ashraf. Iraqi government is now trying to use other legal ways to totally evacuate Camp Ashraf, reported IRNA. The government of Iraq has issued warnings to the group to get prepared for the camp closure and the transfer to TTL. [7]

Mayor of Al Khalis, the province where camp Ashraf is located also warned of possible expulsion of remaining MKO members at Camp Ashraf, according to Habilian Foundation. [8]
The most recent stance by GOI was declared in a conference held on July 31. "We have reached a dead end (with them) and the extension ends today, they have to move," Falih al-Fayadh, Iraq’s National Security Advisor, told a conference attended by the U.N. mission in Iraq, aid groups and Western and Arab diplomats. [9]

Martin Kobler also said in the conference that the UN is directly involved in the issue and called for finding a peaceful solution for the MKO issue in Iraq. [10]

It’s not a surprise that the MKO denounced the conference. National Council of Resistance, the propaganda arm of the group called the meeting "devoid of any credibility".
Earlier last month, the Unites Nations’ News Centre warned that a slowdown in the relocation process during May and June –and even July – prompted renewed tensions and recriminations. “The situation continues to be fragile”, said Ambassador Kobler.[11]

While the State Department supports the UN roadmap for Camp Ashraf closure, it stressed, ”the government of Iraq has recently taken constructive steps to advance this process.”[12]
The State Department reported of a cargo convoy of 300 additional air conditioners, several large water tanks, additional generators, and other goods transported from Ashraf to TTL to improve the residents’ quality of life at TTL. On July19, the Iraqi government transported to camp Hurriya three especially equipped vehicles for residents with disabilities. [13]

As the International community is seriously concerned about peaceful evacuation of Camp Ashraf and consequently resettlement of its residents in third countries, the MKO propaganda is working hard to undermine the UN efforts to resolve the problem. The group is not cooperative to advance any plan presented by either the UN or the GoI because it doesn’t actually want to leave Camp Ashraf.

Peaceful relocation appears not to be a good solution for the MKO leaders who prefer a forceful relocation. They seem to seek another bloody clash with Iraqi government –which has shown enough tolerance towards the presence of foreign terrorists in its territory so far. In their idea, victimization of some other dissident members of the group would be a useful way to both clear the cult off disloyal members and to feed the propaganda machine of the group. Lack of cooperative behavior by the side of the MKO proves its violent approach.

Daniel Benjamin, the State Department Coordinator for Counter terrorism official said,” this is MEK’s moment to show that it has taken a fundamentally different character.[…]And that really is going to be a very important demonstration of what the MEK’s orientation in the future will be.”[14]
By Mazda Parsi

Refrences:
[1] UN News Centre, UN puts forward roadmap for relocation of Iranian exiles from Camp in Iraq, July24, 2012
[2]ibid
[3] Lach, Eric, Iranian Group Advocated Tried to get State Department. Meeting under False Pretences, TPMMuckraker, July9th, 2012
[4] UN Webcast, Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq – Security Council Media stakeout , July19, 2012
[5]ibid
[6]ibid
[7]IRNA, Iraqi government issues deadline to evacuate Ashraf, July25, 2012
[8]Habilian Association, Iraqi official warns of people’s anger over delay of MKO expulsion, July26, 2012
[9]Reuters, Iraq says will force out Iran dissident group, July 31, 2012
[10] Press TV, Iraqi government requests for MKO evacuation, July 31, 2012
[11] UN News Centre, UN puts forward roadmap for relocation of Iranian exiles from Camp in Iraq, July24, 2012
[12]US State Department, US support for UN roadmap on Camp Ashraf, Press statement, July25, 2012
[13]ibid
[14]Lach, Eric, Iranian Group Advocated Tried to get State Department. Meeting under False Pretences, TPMMuckraker, July9th, 2012

August 5, 2012 0 comments

MEK Camp Ashraf

Who Breaks Deadlock over MKO Relocation?

The world should be concerned over MKO’s potentiality of waging all kinds of vendetta

All sides involved in the humanitarian issue of relocating the members of Mojahedin Khalq Organization MKO/MEK/PMOI from their military base, Camp Ashraf, to a transit facility near Baghdad seem to have been locked in a protracted battle over the plan. The Iraqi government, encouraged by the UN and the US, has so far maintained the credibility of practicing a humanitarian approach towards the residents and has respected human rights principles. In contrast, MKO has been insisting on exacerbating the tension it has generated.

Six months ago, the Iraqi government extended an extra six-month period to MKO’s deadline to leave Iraq upon a UN request that lasted on July 31. During the period, MKO members have displayed the least form of cooperation with the Iraqi authorities and only two third of the residents have been relocated to transitory camp. In an international conference held on the last day of the extended period, Iraq’s National Security Adviser Faleh al-Fyadh announced that the only option left for the terrorist group is to leave the country or face prosecution by the Iraqi justice system:

The Iraqi Government has shown cooperation with the UN and the UN had asked Iraq to give the MKO six months before being expelled. The six months have passed and their continued presence is not an option. If they refuse to leave, Iraq with deal with them as a group which is a threat to Iraq’s sovereignty.

By creating a variety of unjustifiable excuses, MKO has refused further relocation of its members. The group M complains of poor conditions at the transit camp while there are evidences of appropriate humanitarian and standard conditions at the camp according to UNAMI’s report corroborated by the US. In a press statement released yesterday, Patrick Ventrell, Acting Deputy Spokesperson, called on MKO leaders to cooperate since all its demands have been met by the Iraqi government:

We also call on the Ashraf leadership to immediately resume cooperation with the relocation of residents to Camp Hurriya, especially following the Iraqi Government’s delivery of a cargo convoy of goods as demanded by the residents on July 15. Allegations of dire humanitarian conditions at Hurriya are inconsistent with observations made by U.S. Government officials who have visited Hurriya, as well as reporting from UN monitors. Based on these reports, and other information, it is clear that the quality of life at Hurriya exceeds accepted humanitarian standards. The continued intransigence of the residents’ leadership in placing preconditions and making demands prior to any agreement to relocate further Ashraf residents is unacceptable and puts in danger protections established in the MOU.

Despite all efforts for seeking a peaceful solution in handling the MKO’s exit from Iraq, the group is resolved to heighten the tension to a point that might provoke a violent reaction, just what MKO dreams to happen. MKO never observes nor has any respect for human rights and international laws; it is getting ready for causing an appalling human tragedy rather than to end it. Although it is not in the interest of anyone to witness repetition of the provoked tragic clashes that took place in 2011 and led to many casualties from the both sides, MKO is not uninterested to make all residents martyrs to demonize the Iraqi government as well as securing a much more extended period of stay in Iraq with all needed sympathy directed in its own favor. The world should be concerned over the possible violent reaction from the terrorist MKO with a proven potentiality of waging all kinds of vendetta.

August 4, 2012 0 comments

MEK Camp Ashraf

PMOI relocation frustrates many

The government of Iraq, along with Iranian exiles, is called on to honor the spirit of a resettlement agreement, a U.S. State Department official said. PMOI relocation frustrates many

Baghdad and the United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding in December outlining the voluntary relocation of members of the People’s Mujahedin of Iran from their Camp Ashraf enclave in Diyala province to Camp Liberty in Baghdad.

Patrick Ventrell, a State Department spokesman, said continued dialogue, not forcible means, was the best way for the Iraq government to facilitate the transfer. Further demands, meanwhile, issued by the thousands of exiles remaining at the Diyala enclave are "unacceptable," he said.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a similar appeal through his spokesman.

"He urges both sides to continue to work constructively in this regard with a view to peacefully concluding the transfer of the remaining residents as soon as possible," the statement read.

The PMOI is labeled as a terrorist organization by the US.

August 4, 2012 0 comments

Iran Interlink

UN demands MKO’s cooperation in completing Iraq relocation

The UN chief’s special envoy in Iraq has demanded that members of the terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) prepare for the final evacuation of their base in the country.

Ban Ki-moon’s representative in Iraq Martin Coupler made the comment following the persistent refusal of the MKO leaders to submit to UN’s step-by-step plan to relocate members of the notorious terror group from Camp Ashraf to a former US military base in the country, Camp Liberty, as the initial phase of their entire removal out of Iraq.

Coupler urged MKO leaders to prepare for the complete relocation from Camp Ashraf without further ado.

Nearly 2,000 members of the terrorist group have already been transferred to Camp Liberty, but 1,200 more still remain in Camp Ashraf, staging resistance against the relocation effort.

Iraq’s National Security Adviser Faleh al-Fyadh announced Tuesday in an international conference in Baghdad on the status of the terrorist group that MKO members have never displayed any form of cooperation with the Iraqi government during the extra six-month window extended to the group for the relocation process upon a UN request, insisting that the group will face prosecution by the country’s justice system if they do not cooperate with the relocation effort.

The UN official also emphasized on the humanitarian aspects of transferring MKO members to Camp Liberty, adding that children and special-needs individuals would have the priority in being relocated.

He also called for restraint from resorting to violence during the relocation process in meetings with Iraqi officials.

“The Iraqi Government has shown cooperation with the UN and the UN had asked Iraq to give the MKO six months before being expelled. The six months have passed and their continued presence is not an option. If they refuse to leave, Iraq with deal with them as a group which is a threat to Iraq’s sovereignty,” Al-Fyadh said at the conference on Tuesday.

The conference, organized and chaired by the Iraqi national security advisor, was attended by representatives of eight countries including the United States, Britain, China, Russia, Canada, Australia as well as the EU and the Arab League.

The Iraqi official further emphasized that many MKO members are on the Iraqi wanted criminals list for committing crimes against humanity in the country during the nation’s 1991 popular uprising. The list, according to Fyadh, consists of 38 MKO members including its top leaders Masoud and Maryam Rajavi.

The MKO is listed as a terrorist organization by much of the international community, and is responsible for numerous terrorist acts against both Iranian and Iraqi citizens. The group is especially notorious in Iran for siding with former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during the 1980-1988 war he imposed on the Islamic Republic.

The MKO fled to Iraq in 1986, where it enjoyed the support of Iraq’s executed despot and set up its camp near the Iranian border.

August 4, 2012 0 comments

Iraq

Iraq tells MKO to leave Camp Ashraf or be forced out

The Iraqi government on Tuesday told the terrorist Mojahedin Khalq Organization that it must move out of Camp New Iraq, which was formerly known as Camp Ashraf, immediately or be forced to leave, Reuters reported.

Iraqi authorities have been locked in a protracted row with the MKO over their plan to move 3,000 members of the group from Camp Ashraf to a large former U.S. military base, a step toward expelling the group from Iraqi territory.

The United States also said last month that the group should close the camp, saying it was “gravely mistaken” to think there was another option.

“We have reached a dead end (with them) and the extension ends today, they have to move,” Falih al-Fayadh, Iraq’s national security advisor, told a conference attended by the UN mission in Iraq, aid groups, and Western and Arab diplomats on Tuesday.

“Now we are free to implement the mechanisms required to transfer those who live in (Camp Ashraf) to where we find appropriate.”

The MKO started its activities as a terrorist group based in Iraq in the early 1980s. In addition to the assassination of hundreds of Iranian officials and citizens, the group cooperated with Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime in its repression of the Iraqi people.

It took refuge at Camp Ashraf, 65 km (40 miles) from Baghdad, during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.

The United States added the MKO to its blacklist of foreign terrorist organizations in 1997, but the group has since said that it has renounced violence and has mounted a legal and public relations campaign to have the designation dropped.

August 2, 2012 0 comments

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