Page 797 – Nejat Society

The issue of Terrorist Mojahedin Khalq Organisation would be included in the Iran-US talks on Iraq

Tehran, Dec 16, IRNA Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said here Sunday that Tehran and Cairo currently enjoy better understanding regarding the atmosphere of bilateral cooperation. Referring to the recent visit to Tehran of the Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Dirar, he said, "The two countries held good and constructive talks." "We expect Cairo to study the outcome of the talks and take further steps," he told reporters. He reiterated that settlement of marginal issues will depend on political resolve of the two countries officials. On the visit to Iraq of an Iranian delegation, Hosseini said the Iranian delegation to Iraq comprises Foreign Ministry officials as well as officials from the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). The main objective of this trip is for the two sides to review issues which would yield more outcomes and make the American side fulfill its commitments, he added. Asked if the issue of terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) would be included in the Iran-US talks on Iraq, Hosseini said activities of terrorist groups will be among issues to be discussed by the two sides.

Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies, December 16, 2007

December 24, 2007 0 comments

Former members of the MEK

The Iranian Pen Club Letter to Ms Megevanal Roggo, International Committee of the Red Cross The Middle East Department

Dear Ms Beaterice Megevand Roggo,

According to the news received in the last few days by Iran-Ghalam (IRAN-PEN) association, the condition of disaffected members of Mojahedin Khalq Organisation who are now accommodated in the TIPF part of Ashraf Camp is critically dangerous. Some personalities have already raised concern not the least Mr. Mohammed Hasibi who has written an open letter today, 21 December 2007 raising his deep concern about the situation of these people. A copy of this letter is attached. You are aware that after the fall of the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, and since September 2003, TIPF was established provisionally alongside Ashraf Camp. The purpose was to locate those who defect the organisation at the first instance interviews by the American Forces. In those days the total number of people confined within the Ashraf Camp was 3855 while today only 3450 are remaining there. From those defected members who managed to get themselves to TIPF, more that 350 have succeeded being sent to their own country (Iran) or some European countries with the help of various governments, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Iraqi ministry of human rights. But unfortunately it is more than a year now that the process of freeing from the Camp – the total number makes to around 200 so far – has been stopped or intensely slowed down. As you are aware, in various reports by the Human Rights Watch, the European Union, the British Government, the US State Department, the Canadian Foreign office, and many other sources as well as the worldwide media, the deeds and practices of the MKO and its leader Mas’ud Rajavi have been categorised as terrorist, cultic, and violating the bases of human rights. Some documentation is enclosed to this letter in this regards. Therefore, we urge you to pay attention to our concerns as well as those of the families of the MKO members for the destiny of our offspring, our siblings, our spouses, and our friends who are held in Ashraf Camp by a destructive cult. Those who have defected from the organisation and are held at the Temporary International Presence Facilities (TIPF), as well as those who for any reason have not been able to flee the MKO and are still kept in their base, must be protected by the ICRC and the World Declaration for Human Rights; and we urge you to help them by any means you can. It is also worth mentioning that the MKO is considering the freedom of its members and their departure from Iraq as a grave threat to its existence and consider it as an encouragement to the remaining members to defect this terrorist cult. It is essential to point out the fact that the Amnesty International (AI) has expressed its concern over the events carried out inside the Ashraf Camp. Also, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a report on 18 May 2005 which points out many cases of systematically violating human rights inside the MKO since 2002. The report done by the HRW is based on the former members’ testimonies now living in Europe. A copy of the report is enclosed. You are aware that self-immolations done by some members in European capitals after the arrest of their leader Maryam Rajavi in Paris on 17 June 2003, is one obvious example of the kind. Like all cults, this organisation needs a remote site to be able to isolate the members from the outside world. The residents of Ashraf Camp have no contact with the real world, not even with their relatives or old friends. The members are forced to participate in the daily ideological sessions called "the Current Operation". In these sessions members are systematically subject to peer pressure and coercion methods. According to articles 25 and 26 of the fourth convention of Geneva which had enabled the MKO’s presence in Iraq, the members could freely have contact with their families. But unfortunately, both the members and their worried and suffering families have been deprived from such benefits. Therefore, we insist that the pressure be mounted against the MKO to lift any obstacles. The Iranian Pen Club has become aware through its corresponding about the efforts made by the Iraqi ministry of human rights for preventing the violation of human rights within the MKO. We would be more that pleased to learn that we could benefit from your cooperation and assistance too. We are prepared to hand over the names and particulars of the discontented members and those who wish to defect from the organisation as well as necessary files and documents. We would be most pleased to have a meeting with you or your colleagues in the office of the ICRC in European countries and be able to present our stories and documents in person. The Iranian Pen Club has become aware through its corresponding about the efforts made by the Iraqi ministry of human rights for preventing the violation of human rights within the MKO. We would be more that pleased to learn that we could benefit from your cooperation and assistance too. With many thanks and regards The Iranian Pen Club 21.12.2007 Postfach 90 06 63 51116 Köln Germany info@iran-ghalam.de kanoon-ghalam@hotmail.de 00491759726840 00491639076911 Copy to: The Representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Iraq The United Nation’s General Secretary The Human Rights Watch The Minister of Human Rights of the Republic of Iraq The Representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva

Iranian Pen Club, December 22, 2007 http://www.iran-ghalam.de/2Haupt/2198-Galam-En.21.8.12.07.HTM

December 24, 2007 0 comments

Former members of the MEK

Hassibi: there is evidence of cooperation between American authorities and PMOI (aka: Mojahedin Khahlq organisation or Rajavi cult)

To whom it may concern, Since August 2007, I have received telephone calls and emails from individuals, who are among a group of 200 Iranians being detained for the past five years in an American military camp in Iraq. The following summary is based solely on these telephone calls and e-mails. These emails are available upon request. Year 2002 The United States State Department interviewed all the members of the organization of the People Mojahedin of Iran, PMOI (Mojahedin-e Khalgh Organization). A group of 200 individuals, who had been in disagreement with Mojahedin for some times, informed the US officials that they wanted to leave the PMOI. This group was later taken to a camp called Temporary International Presence Facility (TIPE) in Khalis city in Diyala province The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) assigned refugee status to these individuals, promising that all the necessary arrangements would be made in near future and they would be sent to another country. These 200 individuals were detained against their will in TIPF. Lt. Col. Amy F. Turluck was the American director of the camp. Year 2006 150 individuals started a peaceful vigil. Their main request was to leave the camp. This vigil was suppressed by 150 anti-insurgent US guards who used pepper spray and guns. The guards arrested all the representative of the group, in addition to some individuals. The arrested individuals were then sent to solitary confinement for several months and were later transported to a smaller camp. Year 2007 July The Iraqi government issued Laissez Passers for these refugees and informed them that with these Laissez Passers they could leave the TIPF camp and Iraq. The Laissez passers and the money of theses refugees were confiscated by Lt. Col Turluck and they were told that they could not leave the camp or Iraq. On many occasions the refugees asked Colonel Turluck to return their Laissez Passers and money so that they could leave the camp, but to no avail. The American military authorities also told them that the Iraqi government would not allow them to leave the country and that they would need visas for leaving Iraq. The relatives of these refugees went to the Iraqi Embassy in Tehran to inquire about the situation. They were told that the Iraqi government had already issued the Laissez Passers and that these refugees were free to leave the camp, acquire visa from a country and leave Iraq. These relatives also approached the Turkish Embassy in Tehran to find out if the Turkish government would issue visas to these refugees. They were informed that Turkey via its embassy in Iraq was prepared to grant visas to these 200 refugees if they applied in person. The refugees, however, were constantly told by the camp authorities that they have only the following two options. 1. To rejoin the PMOI (even though the PMOI is on the black list, i.e. it is considered to be a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union). 2. To go back to Iran (even though they could be executed by the Iranian regime). September · Twenty individuals started another peaceful vigil. This time Col. Turluck threatened to suppress the vigil once again if they did not stop it. Five of these individuals went on a hunger strike and as a result were placed in solitary confinement. They could not have any visitors and could not call their families. October · On October 8th, one individual was taken to the camp hospital and nobody was allowed to visit him. By October 12, after being on hunger strike for 29 days, he was told by the American authorities that if he would not break his hunger strike they would take him to Booka prison, cut his stomach open and would then force feed him. This individual was later transported to Krapeh hospital prison, which is usually used for members of Alghaedeh. · On October 8th, the other four individuals had been on hunger strike for 15 days, 12 days, 11 days and 9 days. One individual who was kept in the hospital of the camp had internal bleeding and had vomited blood. Col. Turluck visited these individual in their cells and told them that they should write their will and indicate where they wanted to be buried. These individuals were constantly being harassed by the American authorities to end their strike. · On October 13 Colonel Turluck announced that the Laissez Passers would be returned to all the refugees. While visiting the refugees on hunger strike in the solitary confinement, she promised them that if they broke their strike, their Laissez Passers would be retuned and they would be taken to Mousel. The refugees on hunger strike ended their strike and returned to the camp. · Colonel Turluck had promised that the voluntary project of re-location to Musel would be finalized by the end of October. · On October 22nd, these refugees were informed that due to the security reasons, they would not be allowed to use the phone. · By the end of October it became evident that the project of re-location to Musel was not going to materialize. November · By early November as the lies about re-location to Musel became evident, those who had broken their hunger strike started another hunger strike. · By November 20th, one of these individuals had been on hunger strike for 9 days. · On November 18 th , sometimes during the night, five of these individuals, who were on hunger strike, were taken out of the camp and were left on a nearby road. · Before leaving the camp, the camp authorities videotaped these individuals. In these videotapes they were asked to state that they were leaving the camp on their own free will. · Few days later five more individuals were taken out of the camp at night and were abandoned on the nearby road. · By now 20 individuals have been taken out of the camp in the dark of the night and have been dropped off somewhere close to the camp. · These abandoned individuals are in danger any time they come across an American checkpoint, the head hunters of the Iranian regime and the dangerous gangs and individuals in Iraq. · By November, the previous director of the camp, Col. Turluck, was replaced by Officer Harmon. December · On December 17 two individuals who had left the camp and were residing in a hotel, left their friend in the hotel for an outing. They have not been heard from since then and no one has any information of their whereabouts. · On December 18 six more individuals were taken out of the camp and were left on a nearby road. No one has heard from these individuals since then. Conditions at the camp: · No access to outside/denied to see a lawyer · No access to the internet · The limited letters, e-mails and phone calls are censored and monitored. If the refugees talk about their condition in the camp on the phone, the American authorities threaten them with losing the right to use the phone. Some emails were never sent and the complaints remain unanswered. · Limited medical services in the camp · No medical services outside the camp · A prisoner, who is going blind and needs immediate surgery, is not allowed to go to Baghdad for the operation. · Water shortage- no water on some days and on other days 3-4 hours at most, for months at a time · The refugees live in tents.

.Constant mal-treatment and torture – In one occasion, these refugees denied entry to their tents to an American soldier who refused to remove his boots. (They pray in the tents and therefore everybody must remove their shoes prior to entering the tent). The angry soldier beat them up and broke the shoulder of one of them. Needles to say, the broken shoulder was never treated medically. · There have been fifty incidents such as this resulting in the batter and injury of these refugees. · When these refugees go on hunger strike, they are immediately moved into solitary confinement and they lose all their privileges such as visits by their friends or contacting their families by phone. · There is evidence of cooperation between American authorities and PMOI. Once in a while some members of the PMOI are brought into the camp. They mingle with the refugees and try to get as much information as possible. They then pass the information to the American authorities and leave the camp. Two of these PMOI spies are presently living in Germany. Mohammad Hassibi Tel: 512-349-7899 hassibi@chebayadkard.com

Mohammad Hassibi, December 20, 2007 http://www.chebayadkard.org/chebayadkard/sokhan/20071217/maghaleh306.pdf

December 24, 2007 0 comments

Mujahedin Khalq Organization as a terrorist group

Mojahedin Khalq supporter”Struan Stevenson”undermines efforts to promote democratic Values

A senior member of the European Parliament, Angelika Beer, condemns the invitation of the MKO terrorist group to a parliament session.

Beer slammed the Greens Alliance in the European Parliament for providing the outlawed Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) with an opportunity to attend a parliament session. The European legislator said ignoring the terrorist group’s violation of human rights and inviting it by Struan Stevenson would undermine the European Parliament’s efforts to promote democratic values.

Beer expressed strong opposition to lifting the ban on the outlawed group. The MKO has carried out countless terrorist acts against the Iranian nation, including the assassination of a president, a prime minister, 80 senior officials as well as thousands of defenseless civilians.

December 24, 2007 0 comments

European Union

EU stresses need for maintaining Mojahedin Khalq Organisation (MKO) among terror organizations

EU human rights and civil foundations despite Zionist lobby’s efforts aimed at removal of MKO’s name from international terror organs, stress need for maintaining grouplet’s name in that list. Political and media circles within the European Union reflected those foundations’ demand during the Tuesday session of the European Parliament at that body’s EU-IRI Parliamentary Relations Commission. Among the other issues addressed at the session, there were discussions on a recent visit by an EU parliamentary delegation to the Islamic Republic of Iran. At the session which was held in the presence of the members of Iran-EU Parliamentary Relations Commission, EC representatives, EP members, and the head of the MKO, one more time the terrorist nature of that anti-Iranian organization was stressed. The head of MKO had attended the session on an invitation sent to her by a pro-Zionist EP member, but was seriously humiliated due to the heavy anti-MKO atmosphere of the meeting.

December 24, 2007 0 comments

Mujahedin Khalq 's Function

Actions that Contradict Claims

Based on the finding that the proscribed Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) has ceased its military and terrorist operations since June 2001, the UK POAC ruled de-proscription of the group. The court puts emphasis on the proof that “There is no evidence relied on by the Respondent that the PMOI has at any stage subsequently sought to obtain weapons of any type or undertaken any type of military operations, military training of personnel or recruitment of individuals for potential military operations”. That is a good idea if a terrorist group has decided to renounce terrorism and dissolve military units. But MKO’s aired TV programs, especially following the court’s judgment, are in absolute contradiction with its claims. MKO’s TV network is repetitively broadcasting clips from its military operations, manoeuvres and marches in which women’s presence seems to have greater significance. Even the music concerts are performed in a militaristic atmosphere with choir and singers in military uniforms. Do these programs broadcasted by the official TV network of a proscribed organization corroborate its claims of abandoning terrorism and militarism? These pictures and clips well indicate that claims and words can never be trusted unless proved by action.

December 16, 2007 0 comments

Gordon Brown: No evidence that MKO has given up terrorism

UNCORRECTED TRANSCRIPT OF ORAL EVIDENCE To be published as HC 192-i

House of COMMONS MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE LIAISON COMMITTEE THE PRIME MINISTER
Thursday 13 December 2007
RT HON GORDON BROWN MP Evidence heard in Public Questions 1 – 120 USE OF THE TRANSCRIPT

1. This is an uncorrected transcript of evidence taken in public and reported to the House. The transcript has been placed on the internet on the authority of the Committee, and copies have been made available by the Vote Office for the use of Members and others. 2. Any public use of, or reference to, the contents should make clear that neither witnesses nor Members have had the opportunity to correct the record. The transcript is not yet an approved formal record of these proceedings.

3. Members who receive this for the purpose of correcting questions addressed by them to witnesses are asked to send corrections to the Committee Assistant.

4. Prospective witnesses may receive this in preparation for any written or oral evidence they may in due course give to the Committee. …. Q97 Malcolm Bruce: Just on that, Prime Minister, the main democratic opposition to the Iranian regime is the People’s Mujahideen organisation of Iran, which has been proscribed in this country. The proscribed organisation’s appeals committee have said that they are not involved in terrorism and that the refusal of the Home Secretary to de-proscribe them was flawed, perverse and must be set aside. Why does the Government not accept that?

Mr Brown: I have looked at that issue that you raise. It is certainly, however, the case that the organisation that you describe has been, in the past, involved in terrorist activity, and I do not think there is any doubt about the evidence that that has been the case. Therefore, to proscribe an organisation that has been involved in terrorist activity seems the right thing to do by the decisions of this Government to be consistent with other decisions that we make. Q98 Malcolm Bruce: We have accepted sometimes that terrorist organisations can change their ways? Mr Brown: But I do not think we have that evidence.

House of COMMONS

Link to the video broadcast of the session: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=665

December 16, 2007 0 comments

Baroness Nicholson:Mojahedin Khalq Organisation (MKO) still on terrorist list in UK

EU lawmaker, Emma Nicholson has proclaimed that a British court, not government, believes in lifting the ban on MKO terrorist group. In an exclusive interview with Press TV, member of the Human Rights Subcommittee of the European Parliament, Emma Nicholson, said that a special new court has been convened and decided that the British government acted in haste in putting the Mujahedin Khalq Organization on the terrorist list. Nicholson said the findings were that the British government’s actions on putting the MKO on the list had not been carried out properly.”But the British government does not agree. The British government is appealing and is against that judgment,”she added. Concerning the MKO presence and operations in Iraq, Nicholson said the sovereign nation of Iraq has to decide about this terrorist group’s presence in the country. The situation requires a dialogue between the Iranian and Iraqi governments, adding that the expulsion of MKO members has nothing to do with the US or UK forces in Iraq. When asked why Britain still supports tougher sanctions against Iran with respect to IAEA and NIE reports proving that Iran is not involved in a military program, Nicholson stated that Iran did not fully explore the European Union’s offer in 2006 which suggested Iran stop its uranium enrichment and in return, the European Union would lift sanctions. In response to a question regarding the West’s increasing pressure on Iran to stop nuclear enrichment which is completely in line with IAEA regulations, Nicholson answered,”There has been a loss of confidence on both sides – a loss of trust.”When asked if Britain is following US policy and not making independent choices, Nicholson replied that Britain, Germany and France began negotiations with Iran from “a specifically European Union position”. Asked if the International Atomic Energy Agency is not the legal referee in decisions about Iran’s nuclear case rather than the UN Security Council, she replied,”Because the nuclear issue is so important, it has gone up to the Security Council level.”

December 16, 2007 0 comments

Iraqi Authorities' stance on the MEK

MKO members should be extradited to Iran

TEHRAN — Iraqi chief prosecutor Jafar al-Musawi has said that Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) members in all countries should be extradited to Iran to face trial. An examining magistrate and a special prosecutor have been appointed to conduct an investigation into the MKO case, al-Musawi told the Mehr News Agency on the sidelines of the conference of Islamic states ‘ judiciary chiefs, which was held in Tehran earlier this month. Iraqi officials have contacted the Iraqi citizens who intend to press charges against the members of this terrorist group, he said, adding that the plaintiffs’ statements would be heard and collected, and based on the Iraqi Constitution, the appropriate ruling will be made. Originally Marxist-Islamist, the Mojahedin Khalq Organization was set up in the mid-1960s to oppose the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. It participated in the country’s revolution but soon launched a campaign of assassinations and bombings in Iran. The group moved to Iraq in the early 1980s and it fought Iran from there until the United States invaded in 2003. The U.S. military has since disarmed thousands of the group’s members and confined them to a camp near Baghdad.

Asked whether Maryam and Masoud Rajavi, the ringleaders of the MKO terrorist group, are currently in Iraq, the Iraqi chief prosecutor replied, “I don’t think so, but wherever they are, they must be extradited according to international law and judicial verdicts.” Asked why no action has been taken in regard to the arrest warrants issued by Interpol for MKO members, al-Musawi said the examining magistrate has not passed a verdict against them yet, but once the current proceedings end, they will be prosecuted. Tehran Times, December 13, 2007 http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=159088

December 16, 2007 0 comments

Mujahedin Khalq 's Function

Saker interview with Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich

I have recently posted an interesting piece by Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich entitled "Iran Intelligence Report: Another Psychological Warfare?". This was not the first time I had read Soraya’s very interesting and insightful articles about Iran and this latest piece prompted me to contact Soraya and ask her for an interview. Soraya kindly agreed to my request and it is my real pleasure today to resume my "Saker interviews" series with a (virtual) conversation with her.

——-

Q: First, could you please introduce yourself in a couple of words. I know that you have an interesting bio and that you lived in several countries, including Iran. Could you please give us some details about yourself?

A. I am an Iranian-American with a degree from International Relations from U.S. As an independent researcher, I have focused on U.S. foreign policy towards Iran and Iran’s nuclear program and the role of lobby groups in foreign policy decisions. I think of myself as a peace activist and have become a political essayist because I think that building awareness is important and people can make a change. I am also a public speaker and radio commentator.

Q: Also, just to set the record straight, do you consider yourself a supporter or an opponent of the current government of the Islamic Republic of Iran?

A. I support a secular democracy. Having said that, I must emphasize that there is a clear distinction between Iran as a country, as a nation with over 10,000 years of history, and the current government policies. While I disagree with the internal policies of the Islamic Regime of Iran regarding human rights and democracy, I strongly support Iran’s right for independence, national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Q: In your article you mention the Mojahedeen-e Khalgh (MEK) group. In the western corporate media it is very rarely mentioned. This group is listed on the State Department’s list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations but a number of observers have also alleged that this group is supported by the USA and especially the CIA. What can you tell us about this group, its activities in Iran and its relationship with the USA?

A. Mojahedeen-e Khalgh/National Council of Resistance (also known by their acronyms MEK/MKO/NCRI) is a terrorist group in every sense. U.S. and EU also consider them as a terrorist group, and yet they are supported by the United States. In act, it is such an irony that Mr. Bush declares a war on terror, depletes our treasury, American soldiers die in order to keep us safe from terrorists, yet our tax dollars are being spent not on keeping terrorists in comfort. Upon invading Iraq, 3800 MEK terrorists were given special persons status by the orders of this administration. When this order was issued, there was considerable surprise even at the State Department briefing (source: US State Department Daily Briefing).

The so-called political arms of the group solicits funds in Washington. They have major backers such as Daniel Pipes and Patrick Clawson who in May 2003, Daniel Pipes and Patrick Clawson recommended that when the secretary of state next decides whether or not to re-certify the MEK as a terrorist organization, that official should come to the sensible conclusion that it poses no threat to the security of the United States or its citizens. Pipes and Clawson went on to praise the MEK as a potential U.S. ally.

These sentiments are echoed in Europe where their leader roams around the European parliament. Hardly the treatment a terrorist should receive.

As for their relation with Iran – The MEK is deeply hated by the majority of Iranians because of their [alliance] with Saddam Hossein during the Iran-Iraq war. The MEK are responsible for killing Iranians and the American government now thinks they can install them as a substitute to the Iranian regime.

The MEK claims to have exposed Iranâ€™s nuclear plant under construction “ however, Sy Hersh exposed their Israeli connections. And the essay I wrote, further exposed the role the US/Israel has in mind for them.

Q: Even before the publication of the 2007 NIE it was quite obvious that all this nonsense about an alleged Iranian nuclear weapons program being developed right under the noses of the IAEA inspectors was just a pretext for "regime change" in Iran. But what about the accusation that Iran is training, funding, arming and even possibly directly supporting various Shia factions in Iraq, including the Badr Corps and the Mehdi Army? What do you make of the US accusation that the Pasdaran’s Quds Force is operating in Iraq against US occupation forces?

A. I have not seen any credible evidence to support these accusations. But, the Iraqi government at the highest level such as Prime Minister Nouri Maleki, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari, all have repeatedly appreciated Iranian cooperation for Iraq’s stability and security. However, I just find it odd that the U.S. is always losing military equipment. Not only was the war planning poor, but it seems that the arms are coming from the US, and not from Iran. In the latest scandal it has been discovered that $1 billion in military equipment is missing in Iraq.

Laura Strickler, CBS News, said, "Tractor trailers, tank recovery vehicles, crates of machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades are just a sampling of more than $1 billion in unaccounted-for military equipment and services provided to the Iraqi security forces, according to a new report issued today by the Pentagon Inspector General and obtained exclusively by the CBS News investigative unit."

Q: In his testimony to Congress General Petraeus said: In the past six months we have also targeted Shia militia extremists, capturing a number of senior leaders and fighters, as well as the deputy commander of Lebanese Hezbollah Department 2800, the organization created to support the training, arming, funding, and, in some cases, direction of the militia extremists by the Iranian Republican Guard Corps’ Qods Force. A Hezbollah "department 2800" directed by the Quds Force, that sounds very specific. What do you make of that accusation?

A. This is curious indeed. World Public Opinion came out with a poll taken in 4 Moslem countries, Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia, and Pakistan. With a vast margin, they all thought that the US is seeking to undermine Islam. Every time there is news of an incident, it is reported as â€˜Islamist radicals, Islamist terrorist, racial Islamâ€™ and so forth. Not a single terrorist is identified by his or her nationality, they are always identified by their religion, I presume because we lack the intelligence to identify the perpetratorâ€™s nationality â€“ unless we want to make a point about Islam being a terrorist religion. â€“ which could explain why the Moslem world is so apprehensive about America. So I am dumbfounded how in Iraq, General Petraeus who I dare say is the Green Zone, managed to know exactly who is training a specific group in such minute detail. One must also understand that Hezbollah has fought hard to become a legitimate group in Lebanon â€“ it is one thing to fight against Israel as a force, another to be â€˜terroristsâ€™ in Iraq. Moreover, if Iran wants to do something in Iraq, regretfully, it has its own people.

Q: The Neocons have succeeded in getting Congress to pass a resolution declaring that the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (Pasdaran) is a ‘terrorist’ organization. Since the latter are under the direct command of Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, does that not amount to declaring him and the entire Iranian government as ‘terrorist’?

A. Since Ayatollah Khamenei is the chief commander of Iranian Army and Revolutionary Guards as well, then one might assume that Ayatollah himself is accused indirectly. I forget how many years it has been since they have said Iran is a state sponsor of terrorists. But, I don’t think those who passed this resolution, really meant the Ayatollah. I think the main purpose of this resolution is to create a dispute between the two main branches of Iranian military organization–the regular Army and the Revolutionary Guards on one hand and also to justify economic pressure on the Revolutionary Guards, such as blocking its assets outside Iran.

However, Mr. Rafsanjani (the former president and the current Chairman of the Assembly of Experts) responded to this law that it is against the entire Iranian nation. And even the moderates such a former president Khatami expressed almost the same opinion, but in a different way. Moreover, it seems that there is not much enthusiasm to enforce this resolution.

Q: Speaking of Ali Khamenei, he is a very interesting figure. According to Wikipedia, he is not Persian but Azeri and even though he is at the helm of a majority Persian country he is also the spiritual leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah and its leader Hassan Nasrallah (even though most Lebanese Shia are followers of Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, a Lebanese Arab). What is your take on this little know personality (at least in the West), on his role in today’s Iran, and on his relationship with President Ahmadinejad?

A. Yes, that’s true Ali Khamenei as a religious leader and as an Ayatollah has many followers and not just in Lebanon. In Shia, there is no Pope-like figure that everyone follows. All Shia Grand Ayatollahs, whether Arab or Iranian, while they have common and extremely close perception of Shiism even as they hold different view in many details. For example, the Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Najaf, who was born in the Iranian city of Mashhad is the most influential man in Iraq, who can send shockwaves through Iraq with a Fatwa. All Iraqi Shias listen to him and follow his command in despite of Iraqis being Arabs.

So, the same holds for Lebanon; many Shias despite being Arabs follow Ayatollah Khamenei as their spiritual leader while others follow Grand Ayatollah Fadl-Allah – These two are close friends. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah is a political leader and not a spiritual leader, though he is a medium rank Shia cleric. Nasrallah came out as a hero for defending Lebanon against Israel during the 33-day war â€“ Ahamadinejad is a hero to many for resisting the U.S. intimidation and defending Iranâ€™s sovereign right.

Q: There have been a number of changes at the head of the Pasdaran recently with Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Jaafari replacing Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi who was appointed to the position of Senior Advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for Military Affairs. Similarly, Saeed Jalili has replaced Ali Larijani as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and chief nuclear negotiator. What do you make of these changes? Are they are reflection of infighting among various groups inside the Iranian government?

A. It is hard to say, it could be because of many reasons. As you may know, it is a policy in any country that no one should occupy a key position, specially in the military and security for a long period. That is what happens and even in the U.S. high-ranking generals, in spite of their loyalty and service are replaced all the time. I think, this could be the main reason for the recent changes in Sepah (the IRGC or Pasdaran. VS), though, I do not exclude other possibilities.

Q: What kind of political opposition is there in Iran today? What has been going on between the ‘Conservative’ and ‘Reformist’ parties in Iran? What about the so-called ‘ultra-conservatives’ lead by Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi? It is often said that President Ahmadinejad has disappointed his supporters? Is that true and, if yes, who do you believe might succeed him?

A. "Ahmadinejad: rock star in rural Iran" (see CS monitor article)

Q: According to Wikipedia, Iran is only 51% Persian. The US has often used the ethnic diversity of the countries who dared to refuse its supremacy to break them apart into smaller, subservient, parts fully dependent on Washington’s goodwill. One only needs to see how the US financed and supported the various nationalist movements in the former Soviet Union or former Yugoslavia to impose its rule by the old ‘divide and conquer’ tactic. Is there are risk that the USA might repeat this with Iran?

A. Wikipedia is not a very reliable source. As you know, very often some people might change and edit the posted material. Furthermore, nobody knows exactly the precise percentage of ethnic diversity of Iran. Even the Iranian government can’t give the exact figure, what is at hand is based on guestimations. For centuries, Iranians have intermingled from different parts of Iran, greater Persian Empire and even different parts of the Middle East. So, it is really foolish to map out Iran based on ethnicity.

But, the second part of your question about the possibility of creating ethnic problem for Iran, I say yes, there might be small groups of western-supported separatists, like PJAK [Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan] who commit terrorism. Please see the article Movers and Shakes of U.S. foreign Policy

But the analogy of the former Soviet Union or even former Yugoslavia is not appropriate here. The former Soviet Union was made of different Nations occupied by Russia. The former Yugoslavia came to existence only after World War I. On the other hand, Iran has been a nation for more than 2500 years. The sense of national pride and long history is very strong amongst the vast majority of Iranians.

by VINEYARDSAKER

December 16, 2007 0 comments

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