MEK Camp Ashraf

Camp Ashraf handover to Iraqi government imminent

Iran-Interlink report from the House of Lords – A government spokesman in the House of Lords confirmed that the Americans will hand control of the Mojahedin-e Khalq’s military base in Iraq, Camp Ashraf, Iraqi authorities before the end of the year.

Lord Malloch-Brown, minister of state for the foreign office, was responding to a question about the situation of people in the camp following signing of the status of forces agreement between the US and Iraq.

The Bulgarian unit which was also involved in protecting the foreign terrorist base will leave the country by December 20 according to Sofia’s leading news agency.

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The Ideology of the MEK

Eclectic ideology of a terrorist cult

Ideology constitutes one of the main levers at the hands of Mojahedin leadership for the fulfillment of his political and cultic objectives. It has played a crucial role in the development of the organization up to now and has served a variety of historical, social, and political purposes. It is a good idea to take a Ideology constitutes one of the main levers at the hands of Mojahedin leadership for the fulfillment of his political and cultic objectiveslook at the early years of MKO to have a better understanding of the function of ideology. From the beginning, science, ideology, and religion were the main pillars on which Mojahedin founded its political struggle:

In the same way as today’s revolutionary concepts that are the product of bloody struggles of men to change the world’s order, the Divine Revelation through the Holy Qur’an disclosed to man truths that unraveled the secrets of his life and solved the most complex philosophy of existence. 1

Mojahedin from the very beginning have put emphasis on having adopted a religious ideology; however, it was mainly due to the specific social, political and religious conditions of their society not their firm belief in religious values. In fact, the early Mojahedin were very anxious to create an ideology that justifiably approved armed struggle. This claim can be proved easily by means of the analyses made and published by the organization itself. The reason may be the occurrence of the ideological schism of the organization into Islamic and Marxist wings due to the fact that some members came to believe that religion in itself was not capable to solve all social and political challenges of the society. Therefore, it was deemed necessary to replace the Islamic ideology of the organization with an eclectic one.

It has to be pointed out that the ideology of the organization in any phase depended much on the main objectives it pursued and functioned as a pretext for the fulfillment of those objectives. We are not here to make a definitive judgment on whether the founders of the organization have misused ideology or not since religion has been treated in a variety of ways by Mojahedin in the last decades. On the one hand, they looked at it instrumentally with regard to political and social conditions of the society; on the other hand, some others have extracted the necessity of struggle from religious doctrines. However, religion has been considered mainly as a means to achieve political goals. 

Many MKO former members have acknowledged that from the early years of the formation of MKO, religion has been considered to be a must but merely with regard to political and social issues of the society. They have asserted that Islamic ideology was adopted at that time since it was supposed that Islam was closely related to class struggle and Marxist ideology. In addition, since Iranian culture was intermingled with Islamic values, Mojahedin made an attempt to blend Islam with their own favorite ideology, Marxism. One of the members witnessing the ideological schism of Mojahedin refers to various interpretations made of religion and ideology and says:

At that time, religious concerns were necessarily in force. In other words, Mojahedin tried to confirm the fundamental concepts of their ideology by means of religion that was intermingled with [Iranian] culture. Therefore, they had to be cautious about whatever could be regarded as anti-religion and reason their words according to Quran. For example, if members theorized that working was of great value, they had to provide evidence from Quran. There were some Marxist books, e.g. Lenin and Mao, as well as other books materially discussing formation of the world among the pamphlets of the organization but Mojahedin leaders were cautious not to target members’ Islamic beliefs and therefore, novel and deliberate interpretation of Quranic verses were presented. 2  

This was the starting point for turning religion into an ideology ignoring the real conditions of the society and which aimed at fulfillment of social and political values and norms of Mojahedin. Taking this viewpoint, religion turned to be an instrument at the hands of Marxist Mojahedin. It took at least one decade to turn an idealist political organization into a religious and political cult. Mojahedin justifiably argued that religion by itself and shared in an eclectic ideology has to be at the service of a struggle to constitute a classless society. The world view continued up to Rajavi’s absolute domination over the organization, but underwent a great change especially after the collapse of the Socialism camp that led to a global power imbalance.

No doubt, the process enforced changes that placed the organization in the abyss of a paradoxical ideology. Unlike the earlier days when ideology played a crucial role in class struggle, now it is abused as an instrument to advance certain non-collective interests and to secure authoritarian hegemony of Rajavi. A brief look at the course of events after the development of ideological revolution within MKO well clarifies the raveled facts. Rajavi in all these years misused ideology as well as science and religion in order to justify his egocentrically made decisions that led to strategic defeats and failures.

The ideological marriage of Rajavi and Maryam Azodanlu may be considered to be another turning point in the history of the organization that led it onto the abyss of a cult. Rajavi made numerous justifications for this event with a focus on religious values. It seems that Rajavi tried to misuse all religious creeds in order to safeguard  his selfish objectives. He even compared Maryam Azodanlu to Virgin Mary and her sufferings, stating:

In defense of Maryam, the most pure and virtues Mojahed woman against all accusations and insults leveled against her, I have to say that a whirlwind blows first over the highlands and crushes the flowers atop the branches, that is to say, Maryam, the symbol of freedom of Iranian women. She is a thunderbolt against aggression, a loud roar against oppression, pure and innocent, manifestation of the angel of freedom, the heroine of all Mojahedin victories, beyond any epic and the song of freedom. 3

Rajavi exploited religion and the ideology that was intended to help advance a struggle for a certain cause for the establishment of a most anti-social modern phenomenon, a cult. He accredited himself a god-like and prophetic status whose mission was, and still is, to guide not only his followers but the world. The mere claim of being a cult’s maharishi with a developed eclectic ideology is enough to jeopardize the security and well-being of any society. The problem is even greater with MKO and the Rajavis at the lead; they have developed traits and characteristics of a notorious terrorist organization synthesized with that of a dangerous cult.

References:

1. MKO, raah-e Hossein [The way of Hossein], p.204

2. Parviz Ghelichkhani interview with Torab Haqshenas.

3. Rajavi’s lecture on the ideological revolution, Mojahed, No. 253

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Former members of the MEK

Memories of Hassan Atash Afzun

Hassan Atash Afzun, MKO former member, tells his memories of the 18 years he spent in the group.

I was born in Bandar Abbas in 1968. I didn’t know the MEK just like mostHassan Atash Afzun:I was not able to communicate with them at all so I complained asking for leaving the camp but they began to threaten me Iranians, however those Iranians, who know them, hated them due to clear reasons but I wasn’t even interested to know about them.

In 1983, I traveled to UAE illegally to find a Job. After 6 years of working there, when I was likely to be able to get citizenship, in 1989 I met Majid Shekouhi, he suggested working in Europe and I accepted the suggestion ambitiously. In the late 1989 he took me to Dubai airport to board the plane with a false passport! At the airport when I was boarding, I found out that there was no trip to England and the plane was supposed to take me to Baghdad. So my fate was going another way.

In Camp Bagher Zade I heard of Mujahedin Khalq for the first time! I was not able to communicate with them at all so I complained asking for leaving the camp but they began to threaten me saying that “Because you entered Iraq illegally, we have to hand you to Iraqi forces who will send you to Abu Qoraib prison.”

They recommended that after a three-month period of military training! I would go to Europe. Once I saw Majid Shekouhi in a ceremony and complained to him because he had deceived me, so he promised that I would go to Europe in thee months.

They tried to convince me to stay in Iraq. They even resorted to methods to control my mind, for example they would let me watch Indian films if I was ready to watch the films of their suicide operations. I was controlled by threats, alluring, terrifying, so I stopped complaining. I always had a question in mind: why do they urge on recruiting some one by deception and then keep him by force? A question I could find answer for when I entered MKO’s relations: the MEK seriously needed to show Saddam Hussein that their number is everyday on the rise in order to prove their legitimacy and also they could get more facilities due to their new recruitments.

I was organized in NLA which was in fact a complicated part of Saddam’s army and, in 1991, I attended the operation that ended with the death of Kurdish people in Touz-Kefri road. I could personally see five Kurds who were killed by the MEK.

Masud Rajavi said about  “Pearl Operation” :

“we are defending our landlord – Izat Ibrahim commands over the MEK and if he wasn’t here, they would not give the tanks to us- we paid the price of the donated  tanks  by Kurds’ blood.”

Saee’d Manouchehri, Mohammad Reza Tari, Mohammad Reza Pour Daghi, and many other MEK members who participated in the operation told us quoting from the Rajavis:

”Take the Kurds under your tanks ,keep the bullets for revolutionary guards.”

During the first Gulf War, when the Iraqi forces left Baghdad ,Izat Ibrahim was in charge of the MEK ( in fact he was ,after Saddam, the main supporter of the MEK). It seems that at the present time, the MEK is trying to stay in Iraq in the hope of Izat Ibrahim’s supporters and the return of Baath remnants.

I had challenges in the organization where I was punished due to the least complaint; in 1993 when Mahmoud Qaem Shahr saw my insistence to leave the group told me to write down and sign that I was regime’s agent , then I would be allowed to go!

In fact, this was a way to prevent forces’ defection and the other way was to threaten the members that they would hand them to Iraqi government and imprison them in AbuQoraib. Once more I wasn’t in doubt, so I was sent to “Traffic control” section to serve as the guard for authorities of MEK. Mostly I was with Ozra Alavi when she wanted to go to Habib base in Basra.

At the time, they showed too much concern for me and even Masud Rajavi sent a message to me that :

” you should become Shiite due to the organization and your ideological leader and you should declare that you are not a Sunnite anymore and you have converted to Shiite religion!” but I didn’t accept.

After the fall of Saddam Hussein, the MEK had a hard time because their main supporter in the world was overthrown, they were disarmed and controled. Mozhgan Parsaiee was so afraid of the time when the American forces figure out that the Mujahedin cheered and celebrated the September Eleventh attack so their problems increase. I remember that I got the news of Sep.11th attack when I was in the soccer field.

We started cheering and chanting. They announced to go indoors so as the American satellites cannot notice us!  In a meeting that was held after September 11th attack, Masud Rajavi told to Maryam Rajavi:

”if your forces had revolted, they would have launched such an operation” and he also addressed  the  pilots :”Dear pilots, you must be prepared for such operations.”

The situation was so disturbing after the fall of Saddam Hussein and American’s settlement. Also some members were complaining so the organizations officials had to deal with both internal and external problems. Mozhgan Parsaiee said in the meetings:

”we will not stop the armed struggle but we have to postpone it because of our preferences.”

For their maintenance in Iraq, after Saddam, they used any trick including paying large amounts of money to people to sign petitions asking for MEK’s stay in Iraq. I was transferred to this section because I knew Arabic. I was in charge of gathering signatures and paying money to the signatories. Hamid Mausavi and abu Heidar (Iraqi) were also recruited by MEK to collect signatories in Iraqi tribes. For each signature 150,000 Dinars were paid. I was supposed to revise the signatures and divide the money. The problem was that out of the 400 signatures, 390 were the same. This reminded me the time when the members were marching in Camp Ashraf and each member had to pass in front of the scene several time but in different forms so as the number of members seemed more!

When I was working in MEK’s social headquarters (The meeting room for their visits with Iraqis), I had a TV and I could receive Iranian channels. When I saw the film “wolves” [which was made by Iranians on MEK’s relations with Saddam Hussein] and I found out the close relationships between Saddam Hussein and Masud RAjavi,I was deeply decided to escape towards TIPF but my decision was denounced. Since that time I started disobeying the organization’s orders. Finally I could   come to TIPF where I immediately contacted my family whomI was not allowed to contact with for many years.

Since I came to Iran, I have been assured that the MEK have been spending their time in a cave called Ashraf for two decades. The MEK’s world is a dark, tight world where everything is black and white and iced. This is a fact that you can not find out unless you face the Sun. Now I am under a sun named Iran.

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Habilian Foundation

Tribal leaders of Southern Iraq visit Habilian

A group of tribal leaders and Sheikhs from southern regions of Iraq met and exchanged ideas with members of Habilian Association executive board. In this meeting which was initiated with the speech of director of Habilian’s political committee Sayed Hussein Kakmyab welcomed the Iraqi delegation’s arrival in the holy city of Mashhad and said: Habilian Association has been established in 2005 with the objective of gathering deeds and documents about MKO terrorist group in Iran and also to open MKO crimes cases in international tribunals. This association is comprised of the children and other family members of terror victims in Iran. Hearing the name of terrorists would undoubtedly remind you of the enemies of Iraqi people.

MKO has been for years at the heart of criminal acts against the people of Iraq. They have committed several acts of terrorism inside Iraq and have killed a large number of people in your country causing many human disasters in there. In Iran they have also assassinated over 12000 people including the Iranian president, prime minister, judiciary chief and several MPs by launching terrorist operations. After the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran they were forced by the people out of the country, so they resorted to Saddam Hussein and resumed their terrorist operations this time under Saddam’s service. Saddam would provide them with a sum of $50 million every three months and they would be under full command of Saddam in return. They were also given an extra budget from the money earned by selling oil. An instance of what they have done in return is the suppression of Shiite Intifada and also massacre of Kurds and Turkmen. They would do whatever they could to satisfy Saddam Hussein in return for his favors toward this terrorist group.

Son of Martyr Kamyab went on and said: right now and as the influential tribal groups in the current scene of Iraq you would play a major role in informing the Iraqi people about this terrorist group. You ca disclose the evil nature of MKO inside and outside Iraq. As the representatives of the two nations of Iran and Iraq we have many things in common. We enjoy the great civilization of Islam which has caused our getting closer to each other this is why the world superpowers always are up to make disunion between us. We also possess huge oil resources which is another reason for the exploiters to create sedition among us.

 

He also added: I think you agree with us that America attacked Iraq merely for its own interests and in order to attain their wicked ambitions they began to implement their plots for hypocrisy between Iran and Iraq. Shah of Iran insisted on Persian nationalism and Arab nationalism, and Saddam on separating Sunnis from Shiites. Saddam imposed a war on Iran which lasted for 8 years and amid which hundreds of thousands of the people from both nations were killed. What do you think of this war to be set up for? It was just the result of the global superpowers’ plots.

Pointing to the efforts of the Iraqi people to choose their own destiny, their own parliament and government kamyab said: the Iraqi people set the foundations of an independent parliament and chose independent government mostly working for the Iraqi people. It is as bright as the day for all of you that America, after the fall of Saddam, started to support terrorist groups like the Mujahedin-e Khalq and Al Qaeda instead of backing Iraqi peoples’ freedom movement. This way they wanted to justify their illegitimate presence and occupation in Iraq.

Kamyab notified the Iraqi peoples’ recent demonstrations through which they had demanded the expulsion of MKO from their land and said: such demonstrations show that the Iraqi peoples’ unwillingness and that they never want MKO to remain in Iraq any more. A recent instance of such demonstrations was the one by people of Khalis.

Director of the Political Committee of Habilian Association pointed to the progresses the Islamic republic of Iran has made in recent years, especially in the field of nuclear energy, and said: we believe that the Iraqi youth as well can achieve such successes.

Then he mentioned the issue of Ashraf and said: Camp Ashraf is a part of Iraq’s soil and I hope you can have it back again by expelling MKO terrorist cult from Iraq.

Yousof Hamadi head of the delegation of southern Iraq’s tribal leaders was another speaker of the meeting. He expressed gratitude on behalf of the whole delegation for Habilian’s efforts and declared solidarity and sympathy with the families of terror victims in Iran.

He said: My colleagues and I would like to know more about your efforts in Iran and your development and progress you’ve made in all fields. Unfortunately there was an inaccurate picture of Iran in our minds as a result of false propaganda against Iran and we were surprised and realized that how far we had been mistaking about Iran as soon as we arrived in your country.

 

 

Hamadi also spoke about the crimes and atrocities of Saddam’s oppressive regime and said: Saddam Hussein suppressed Shiites and assassinated many of them. Many of Shiites Sheikhs were ordered to leave the country and go on exile.

Then he notified the Iraqi parliament’s decision for the expulsion of MKO terrorist group from Iraq and said: we are well aware of the evil nature of this group and the help they gave Saddam in suppressing and killings of Shiites. They welcomed the Americans’ arrival in Iraq and have their bloody hands in the massacre of Iraqi people and creating mass graves in Iraq.

 

Hamadi stated: we have come to Iran to see your developments and to convey your friendship massage to the Iraqi people.

At the end of the meeting the petition for the expulsion of MKO was signed by the delegation.

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Mujahedin Khalq Organization's Propaganda System

Holy Fighters in the Sidewalk

Translated from the article “Holy Fighters in the side walk “published in derstandard on October 23rd, 2008:

This summer hundreds of polish students figured out that their education in theMojahedin hired Polish students for demo!! Political Science field doesn’t protect them against a short free trip to Paris and being hired by a terrorist organization.

 Who can resist the offer of a three-day trip to the French capital for only 6 Euros (including the residence)?

 The advertisement of the trip was so deceiving that no student didn’t go into trouble to ask about the issues behind the scene and the sponsors of the discounted trip, although the condition to win the trip was to attend a political demonstration at Charle de Gole Airport.

Therefore, the polish inexperienced native students became the Islamic freedom fighters for a day.

 The demonstration in the airport is just the most recent activity of the expanded propaganda launched by the paramilitary Mujahedin Khalq Organization aka PMOI especially since the 1990’s.

 PMOI has been designated as a terrorist organization by the US and EU.

Besides their fundraising activities in the sidewalk of European cities (Coln is one of the most important bases of MKO in Europe) they hold gatherings and demonstrations including the ones in the summer of 2003 that reached its summit with the suicide of two exiled Iranians.  

MEK have repeatedly represented their threatening methods for the regime change in Iran.

People’s Mujahedin of Iran was founded in 1965 to oppose the Shah of Iran who was supported by the west and ruled Iran under his tyranny until the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

The first MEK founders based their ideology on a raw mixture of the revolutionary Marxism, partisan struggle of Huchi Min and Che Guara and the Shiite Islamic characteristics, decorated with a protesting movement against the exploitation of the society and governmental violence.  

The preferable device for MEK was from the beginning, the armed struggle to achieve the necessary power for their anti-shah and anti-American propaganda.

The MEK planned their first operation in 1971 intending to explode an electricity factory in Tehran while the celebrations on the occasion of the anniversary of the Iranian Imperial, but the plan was prevented by the regime ‘s security forces.  

Following that operation, the wave of arrests started and Masud Rajavi (who is today, together with his wife, the dictator leader of MEK) fled to Paris following his imprisonment sentence.  

The way the post revolutionary Iranian Regime (which had supported MEK at the beginning) treated MKO, forced them to go abroad and continue their bombings and anti-American and anti-Iranian activities not only in Europe where a lot of Iranians reside but also in Iraq.

In 1980’s Saddam Hussein sheltered the MEK who were discouraged by the regime of Tehran and in 1985 he used them as his mercenary in the first gulf war.  

MEK also collaborated with Saddam to suppress the Shiites and Kurds’ uprisings in Iraq and what removed the support of their compatriots in their motherland for ever.  

Then a type of cultural Islamic-Stalinist revolution appeared in the group and the cult of personality around the leadership of Masud and Maryam Rajavi was formed in a bizarre form of which the recent MEK’s slogan is the symbol:”Rajavi is Iran,Iran is Rajavi”   

 The MEK is represented in the west by its political arm National Council of Resistance (NCRI) which has owned a parliament in Paris since 1993.

The leadership council of MKO only includes women, that is a bizarre sign to the regime of Tehran which is ruled by males.

 Those who criticized the group’s approaches disappeared in Abu Qoraib prison (with the help of Saddam Hussein’s regime) where has already had the notorious reputation.

The Human Rights Watch presented a report on the testimonies of a dozen of MKO defectors who witnessed tortures and assassinations in the cult.

 After the American invasion to Iraq, the MEK bases in Iraq were bombarded but later the CIA hired MEK’s professional agents for intelligence operations inside Iran.

Outside Iran, the MEK who claim to have denounced military operations since 2001, are satisfied of the support they could enjoy by the future inexperienced generation and also the public opinion.  

For example the Austrian member of the European parliament , Karin Resetarits, asked for the removal of MEK from the list of terrorist groups, in a 2500 populated gathering in front of Iranian Resistance against the Islamic fundamentalism.”  

In December 2001, the MEK and its armed wing NLA were listed as terrorist entities following the European Union Council’s decision.

In June 2008, the British government decided to return their credit.

Translated by Nejat Society

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MEK Camp Ashraf

Dislocation of Ashraf; the sole solution to set victims free

Niyabati’s article “The necessity of releasing Mojahedin forces” in answer to Farrokh Negahdar’s article “Mojahedin must depart Camp Ashraf” contains some interesting and paradoxical points to which due attention is to be paid. It is somehow paradoxical since on the one hand, Niyabati has repeated the statements made by Farrokh Negahdar and on the other hand, he has drawn a border and red line between his own statements and those of Mr. Negahdar and has even threatened him of deserving trial and punishment by Mojahedin. First, it has to be pointed out that his article is a verification of Mojahedin’s typical insulting and offensive behavior against their critics that bears no rationalism and reasoning. On the one hand, he states:

 It is simplistic if we seek a devil intention and political prejudice behind all dissidents’ position takings all the time. For sure it is not always so. 1 

On the other hand, he is irritated by the statements made by Mr. Negahdar and writes: 

If all those who have witnessed his betrayals pass away or forgive him, on the promised day of judgment the organization will not for sure  leave him alone. 2

The reason why he takes a more aggressive attitude against Mr. Negahdar compared to other sympathizers of Mojahedin is pertinent to his past history. We have elaborated on the relationship between Niyabati and Mojahedin previously. It seems that his past semi-intellectual and megalomaniacal gestures insisting to show his superiority over Mojahedin and their leadership has been faded away and now he has turned to be a simple errand for Mojahedin. However, there are some significant points in his article. For example, he refers to Camp Ashraf and says:  

The current issue is releasing Mojahedin and transferring them to a safe refuge. Nobody cares to ask Mojahedin if they are willing to leave Camp Ashraf or remain there. 3 

The point is that even Mojahedin leaders refrain to pay attention to the will of Ashraf residents and ignore the fact that they have to let them choose their own destiny. In recent years, many have repeatedly focused on the necessity of holding a free referendum in Camp Ashraf. In this way, nobody would criticize Mojahedin leaders as for the decision made based on the demands of Ashraf residents and it will pave the way for Mojahedin to petition international bodies in order to achieve their demands. Earlier, Niyabati had elaborated on the psychological levers and factors aiming at convincing members to remain in the organization and made his attempts to justify the necessity of these factors; therefore, he dares not claim that all Ashraf residents are willing to remain in Iraq in the existing conditions. The main challenge of Mojahedin leaders at the time being is that MKO members cannot be transferred to another location as long as they are labeled as a Mojahed and are members of MKO due to their terrorist label. In fact, they would be recognized refugees if they declare their separation from MKO as did many former members who are now living freely in European countries. Niyabati writes:  

In fact, there is not a country where they may ignore the terrorist list to consent giving asylum to residents of Camp Ashraf. 4

However, he desist to refer to the fact that there are many former members of MKO living freely in European countries and running an ordinary life. Niyabati has no doubt in the necessity of the transfer of Camp Ashraf residents to another country. Yet, his only disagreement with Mr. Negahdar is that the latter truly believes that there is no country at the time being to let Ashraf residents in due to their terrorist repute. He has indirectly implied that transferring Mojahedin members to another country even as MKO members, results in the loss of Camp Ashraf, i.e. the strategic and ideological bastion of Mojahedin. He has also focused on the significance of camp Ashraf in his book and elaborated on the close relationship between Ashraf and the ideological revolution of Mojahedin, writing:  

There is no doubt that the remarkable resistance of [Camp] Ashraf under the hegemony of Mojahed women has its roots merely in the internal ideological revolution of Mojahedin. 5

Evidently, Niyabati is well aware that the sole solution for the survival of Mojahedin is keeping Camp Ashraf ongoing. Therefore, it seems that Mojahedin prefer not to be removed from the terrorist list since in that case they would have no excuse to remain in Camp Ashraf and have to leave it and lose their organizational unity. Now the US presidential election coming to an end, the two-year pledge of Rajavi to overthrow the Iranian regime proves futile once more. These events have intensified Mojahedin crises. According to Niyabati:  

I have no doubt … that deserting Camp Ashraf and compulsory transfer of Mojahedin, would be more advantageous for keeping the security of [Iranian] regime rather than that of Mojahedin. 6

In a nutshell, Niyabati and Mojahedin sympathizers’ insistence on keeping MKO members in Camp Ashraf aims mainly at maintaining the ideological and strategic container of Mojahedin and has nothing to do with posing a threat for the Iranian regime.

 

References:

1. Niyabati, Bijan, The necessity of releasing Mojahedin forces, two different view points

2. Ibid

3. Ibid

4. Ibid

5. Niyabati, Bijan, A different look at the internal ideological revolution of Mojahedin

6. Niyabati, Bijan, The necessity of releasing Mojahedin forces, two different view points

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USA

Open Letter to President-elect Barak Obama

Obama’s opportunity to change America’s reputation by closing Terrorist Camp Ashraf in Iraq

Open Letter to President-elect Barak Obama

With your election, a new administration now has the opportunity to revisit US-Iran relations and come up with new ideas and policies. No doubt you have already been inundated with advice and lobbying on this issue.

We make no apology for adding our voice on the subject of the Iranian terrorist organisation Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK) – a group which will no doubt be lobbying your administration on its own behalf. The members of this group, in particular its 3000+ uniformed militants in Iraq, are the victims of deception and human rights abuses and this issue, small as it is, needs urgent attention.

The MEK’s fundamental message to your administration will be that it is the largest, most popular, pro-democratic, opposition group and that only this group can effect change in Iran. To expose the falsity of this claim we only need refer you to the investigations of the last two US administrations, one Democratic under Bill Clinton and the other Republican under George W Bush, into this group, and the most recent Country Report into terrorism which describes the MKO as a terrorist cult.

Unfortunately, in spite of this, various sectors of the US political body have been willing to employ this group as a means of confrontation with Iran. This artificial support has promoted the group far beyond its real power and efficacy and has sadly stunted the growth of real and effective opposition to the current Iranian government. It has also given ‘permission’ to the group’s leaders to continue holding the members against their will and in conditions sustained by systematic human rights abuses.

America’s interests have not been served by uncritically succumbing to the mendacious influence of MEK propaganda. Western public and political opinion have been deceived for years as to the reality of Iranian society and politics by this group. The MEK does everything in its power to prevent contact and dialogue with Iranian civil society lest its lies and exaggerations be exposed.

In specific examples, the myth created by the MEK that it is useful in providing intelligence has exposed the American intelligence services to accusations of naïvety and/or ignorance. Such uncritical – perhaps gullible – reactions to the MEK’s revelations are exposed by the recent unwarranted arrest of Iranian civil contractor, Nader Qorbani, at Baghdad airport and making spurious accusations against him based on MEK ‘intelligence’. The knee-jerk reaction of US Homeland Security to false allegations against individuals is another example which evokes scorn among European observers.

In the wider sense, efforts to progress western interests in relation to Iran have been frustrated as the IAEA has been sidetracked into wasting time and effort investigating false information provided by the MEK for political purposes. That is, to serve the MEK’s self-survival interests.

However, the worst aspect of artificial, improper American support for this terrorist cult has been that the US army has preserved and protected its military headquarters, Camp Ashraf, in Iraq for five years. Iraqis consider Camp Ashraf to be a Saddamist stronghold and the MEK inside it as a danger to national security. Iraq’s government has repeatedly demanded that the US army help to remove all foreign terrorist groups from its territory as being directly against Iraq’s national interests.

In January 2008 SAHAR Family Foundation was established through the auspices of the Iraqi government, academics and human rights organisations and a plan was provided to the US army to deal with Camp Ashraf and help free its residents. The US army did not cooperate. This led Iraqi government officials relevant to this issue to the inescapable conclusion that the US army unit protecting Camp Ashraf has been taking its orders from MEK terrorist leaders rather than Washington.

Beyond security or political issues, behind the closed doors of Camp Ashraf a scandalous situation of systematic human rights abuses has been perpetuated under the auspices of American protection.

When the Camp Ashraf scandal is fully exposed, America herself will be spotlighted as responsible for ongoing, preventable human rights abuses conducted inside the camp by MEK officials against their own members. Allegations of forced hysterectomies for women members, mental and physical torture and even murder of inmates of the camp must be investigated.

The base is vital to the cult for the ongoing ideological indoctrination and manipulation of members. For this reason the MEK leaders are lobbying hard in America for continued US protection of Camp Ashraf and for the members to remain in Iraq. The MEK claim that Iraq will forcibly hand over its members to Iran. This has never been on the table and is in fact a ploy by the cult to divert attention away from what is happening inside the camp.

A humanitarian solution is available. How to resolve the situation is not a mystery, nor is it difficult or dangerous for the people in the camp.

The straightforward answer is to have the door of Camp Ashraf opened up to external agencies and individuals. Control of the camp should not be with MEK leaders but with the UNHCR, ICRC and the Iraqi Red Crescent.

As a priority the camp should be opened to families and relatives of those detained there. Doctors and human rights investigators need unfettered access to individuals. Those who choose to leave must be offered a safe refuge.

Under your leadership, America can make an immediate difference to US-Iraq relations by dismantling this terrorist base rather than continuing with double-standards by supporting those terrorist groups which are erroneously perceived by some to be ‘helpful’ to American interests.

While confident of the good intentions of your new administration to act on thorough investigation into the facts of this issue, we are ready to provide further information if needed.

Yours sincerely

Massoud Khodabandeh

Iran-Interlink

Leeds

UK

cc:

Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri Maliki

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown

President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy

Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel

President of the People’s Republic of China, Hu Jintao

President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev

Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon

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European Union

PMOI Members are no ‘freedom fighters’

Tobias Pflüger: PMOI Members are no ‘freedom fighters’

Letter to the Members of European Parliament concerning the People’s Mujahideen of Iran (PMOI)

 

Dear colleagues,

 

The United Kingdom recently decided to remove the People’s Mujahideen of Iran (PMOI)* from the list of banned terrorist groups following a court ruling.

 

We warn against the misunderstanding that the court’s order to remove the PMOI from the terrorist list accords the PMOI democratic legitimacy and credentials as political opposition to the ruling Iranian regime. Moreover, their claim to be the only legitimate opposition rather proves their own totalitarian approach.

 

The PMOI is an organisation which according to information from many different sources has degenerated over time from a political movement combining Marxist and Islamic elements into a psycho-sect with a history of heavy brainwashing and repression of its members. The Rajavi couple rules the organisation in a totalitarian style combined with an elaborate personality cult. According to Human Rights Watch and a number of ex-members – some of which testified in a meeting of the Iran delegation last year -, dissident members "were tortured, beaten and held in solitary confinement for years at military camps in Iraq after they criticized the group’s policies and undemocratic practices, or indicated that they planned to leave the organization." Some were even sent to Abu Ghraib in order to be tortured by Saddam Hussein’s security forces. According to Human Rights Watch, even deaths have been reported. Married couples were forced to divorce, children were separated from their parents against their will in order to be sent off into orphanages or foster families in Europe and the US.

 

The PMOI members are no ‘freedom fighters’. It is not the democratic, pluralistic, egalitarian, reform-oriented organisation, as which it presents itself. Within today’s Iran, it does not play any role as a serious opposition force. For the Iranian public, the Mudjahedeen have discredited themselves completely due to their internal organisation but also due to their collaboration with Saddam Hussein in the war against Iran. The lack of democracy is not in doubt and we do not need this group for confirmation.

 

We urge all members of the European Parliament who are engaged for a more democratic Iran to be extremely circumspect and cautious vis-à-vis this group.

 

Sincerely Yours

 

Michael Gahler, Vice-Chair Foreign Affairs Committee (PPE)

Christa Prets, Vice-Chair Iran Delegation (PSE)

Annemie Neyts, Coordinator Foreign Affairs Committee, President of the European Party of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE)

Angelika Beer, President of the Iran Delegation (Greens/EFA)

Tobias Pflüger, Member Iran Delegation, Coordinator Security and Defence Sub-Committee (GUE/NGL)

 

* The Iranian abbreviation Mujahideen-y-Khalq (MKO) is equally used.

PMOI /MKO still remain on the EU and US terrorist lists, while the National Council of Resistance (NCR), basically a cover up organisation for the PMOI, is only on the US terrorist list and not on the European one. 

http://tobiaspflueger.twoday.net/STORIES/5065181/

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Former members of the MEK

Unsaid stories on a castle called Ashraf

Memories of Batoul Soltani – Part Four

 

SFF: Mrs. Soltani, we would like your mind to get back to Ashraf where you had difficulty to escape from. We would like you describe the internal relations in MEK that caused you run away?

 

Batould Soltani: I was actually in the MEK for two decades so I know about the MEK’s internal relations very well. When in 1986 I entered the organization,The Mujahedin Khalq OrganizationThey used any practice to bring the people to the cult in Iraq. For example they managed to send smugglers, financing them, to take the people out of their families and bring them to Iraq. the most convenient houses and hotel were dedicated to the families. It was the time when Masud and Maryam Rajavi came to Iraq from France. The MEK had used all its strength to recruit members and all IRI opponents from all over the world. There was a tension among supporters in abroad. Rajavi was using his entire wisdom to get the supporters out of their normal life and bring them to the organization and of-course the prison of Ashraf. They used any practice to bring the people to the cult in Iraq. For example they managed to send smugglers, financing them, to take the people out of their families and bring them to Iraq.

 

The other activity they were also busy of, was to found National Liberation Army and the deals with Iraqi Regime like the meetings with Iraqi ministries or deputies and then with Saddam Hussein who offered them bases, weapons, military trainings. The focus was on recruiting members for the so called NLA. At that time the Iraqi military organs were launching intelligence operations together with the MEK elements to succeed their attacks against Iran. The MEK was taking care of such affairs. Everyday there was a new crisis, a new adventure. So the supporters were busy enough.

 

After some time they spoke of NLA and military uniform and boots and things like that. Later in 1989 the second phase of Ideological Revolution (after the first phase which was operated in 1985 when the couples were forced to divorce.) was started by MEK that claimed that the first phase was not completed and the divorces should be perfect for ever; this time the divorces should be real and there is no return and anyone who wants to enter the organization must divorce. Since that time divorce became a condition for membership in the MKO.

 

They named this revolution as “whirl-wind” in which they filtered the devotees from the opponents. Several meetings were arranged by Masud and Maryam Rajavi who brought members group by group there; where they set the situation so artificially that the members became obliged to take out their wedding rings and divorce their spouses. I was in the last group of MKO members who divorced.

 

They held the meeting for a group of members. From the beginning moments the members were so worried of being called, then they called a person who went to deliver all his responsibilities… then we saw Maryam and Masud cheering made an atmosphere and asked the person:” Ok, now what must you give?” Or “what have you hidden?” they pressured the member mentally and at the end he was prepared for divorce. The person had to write and sign the feature of his dependence on his spouse, his problems and thoughts. Then he had continual meetings so as he can ideologically divorce the marriage in his mind. Thus the leaders could have a better control on the members’ emotions and feelings. The next step was to cut the remaining emotional point: children.

 

They sent the children to places, they know themselves, and for example they sent my son to a country and my daughter to another one and I had no idea of where they were.I remember they used the opportunity of war in 1991 and said: “Due to the war, we can not keep the kids here”, so they arranged another chantage and separated the children from their families. That was a treacherous plan that was executed. They even said themselves:” That’s a good pretext to get rid of children.”

 

The evil Masud had calculated everything; he knew that the presence of children would take a lot of energy. Now they had members who were completely and professionally at Masud‘s service. They sent the children to places, they know themselves, and for example they sent my son to a country and my daughter to another one and I had no idea of where they were.

I couldn’t ask, in any case, where my kids are. They would punish me using their manipulation techniques …

 

Then, they determined a criterion which was ‘’Maryam ‘’who divorced from her husband for Masud’s sake, married him ideologically and her whole existence has become Masud! In a new scenario, she came said:” I leave all my organizational duties” and Masud said the same thing and introduced Maryam as the first authority of the organization because she was the only one who was joined to Masud and all the others had to be dissolved in and dedicated to Maryam, if not they were called anti-woman, non-revolutionary … this was their new story to seize the members soles and minds.

 

The bottom line of the story is that Masud is only the ideological leader. If you want to analyze the MEK, you should work one two dimensions; one: the strategic and military dimension and two: the ideological and organizational dimension. The strategic aspect included the departure from France and arrival to Iraq to from NLA. The ideological aspect began with the ideological revolution in 1984. Following the defeat in the “Eternal Light” operation, they concluded that the failure happened because the ideological revolution hasn’t performed perfectly so the fighters haven’t fought well. The discussions on the ideological revolution ended with the divorces saying that the emotions are illegal.

 

After Maryam Rajavi became the first authority of MEK, Masud left all his organizational responsibilities. They wanted to open their way to European countries, so they established “Presidential Offices” in European countries. A new series of stories began with the name of “President Elect” ( Maryam Rajavi),calling for opposition groups to come under MEK’s hegemony and form National Council of Resistance to abuse them.

 

Then they continued with equipping their NLA by Saddam Hussein’s aid. Rajavi always was proud of the gifts granted to him by Saddam Hussein. For any operation they launched inside Iran, Saddam praised them with his offered weapons and tanks.

Translation: Nejat Society

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