Mujahedin Khalq 's Function

MKO Supporter, Agent of Saddam Secret Service

Buratha news website published a top secret document from former regime’s secret service, revealing the ties between a supporter of MKO and Saddam’s security services.

This document exposed the relationship between MKO supporter Saleh Al-Mutlaq and Saddam’s secret services.

"After the fall of Saddam, he tried to distant himself from these relations but the documents show the reality," Buratha said.

The document, No. 3501, dated May 2002 and signed by former Iraqi "Mokhaberat" (secret service), reveals that Saleh Al-Multaq worked for that secret service since 1999.

 

The documented (translated from Arabic) is as follows:

 

In the name of God, the most compassionate, the most merciful

Top Secret

Iraqi Republic

President

Intelligence Service

No 3501

May 26, 2002

 

"Keep people’s secrets and don’t pass it to others and don’t use it against friends", President, Commander Saddam Hussein

 

Subj.: source (Saleh Mahmoud al-Mutlaq)

We contacted this source in 1999 through one of our sources abroad. After hearing all his conditions and needs, we gave him what turned him into a valuable source ready to perform his duties. This was done by General Salman Mohammed al-Jaboori.

 

To view the original document, see the link:

http://www.burathanews.com/news_article_19856.html

 

Buratha News, May 13, 2007 – translated by Iran Didban

       

0 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsappTelegramSkypeEmail
Habilian Foundation

Iran, victim of terrorism and discrimination

Speech of Mr. Seyed Javad Hasheminejad in congress on “Muslim world, victim of terrorism”,

The First International Congress on Resistance Culture was held under the name of “Islamic World, Victim of terrorism” during 1, 2 May at OIC Summit Hall in Tehran.

Habilian associations held an exhibition as a main part of congress on Munafeqin terrorist group’s crimes and a lot of people also came and visit it eagerly.

For the first time in this exhibition, a list of 16000 victims was presented into divided and provincial parts with the name of place.

Also some pictorial documents and evidence of terrorism case in Iran were shown in this exhibition and they were noticed perfectly by visitors and especially young people.

Detailed report of this exhibition and visits and meetings of Habilian association’s members with some figures will be published in next days.

Text of Speech by Mr. Hasheminejad:

In the name of GOD

Ladies and Gentlemen:

16000 persons, such as infant and old man, man and woman, governmental and popular, in city and village, were victimized by terrorism in Iran!

All ruling body and leaders of three powers were sacrificed by terrorism for once.

President, prime minister, 5 ministers and tens of their deputies were killed.

Head of judiciary and tens of judges were killed in bombing and street assassinations.

Head of legislative power was attempted to his life and hurt badly but fortunately, didn’t die.

Even the leader of this government has been hurt by a terrorist blast.

In Iran;

Tens of civilians and innocents people also were killed by some terrorist blasts and bombs, while they were going to their job.

In Iran;

Some clerics at age of 70 were assassinated by terrorists and even some holy place such as holy shrine of eighth Shiite Imam were bombed by them and tens of innocent people were killed in this event.

In our Iran;

Child in front of mother and mother in front of child was put on fire. Old father was sacrificed in front of his young daughter’s eyes, burn the young boys at age of 17 by the iron, the shopkeeper and car dealer and even handicapped were killed just because of carrying their leader’s picture. Violation of a wife in front of her husband and to daughter in front of her father and burning the houses, assassination, taking the hostages and armed demonstration.

This is question:

Aren’t all of these enough that we know Iran as an Islamic country and victim of terrorism?

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Another most terrible disaster after terrorism in Iran is Human Rights Watch’s discrimination that has closed its eyes on Iran’s truth!

Terrorists, who committed a lot of crimes in Iran, now in Europe and American countries speak about lack of democracy and violation of human rights in Iran.

The only logic and justification, which is used by terrorists to stay in East Countries and continue their terrorist activities that known as “promotional terrorism”, is that they want to topple Iran’s government.

Politicians and authorities of west countries, who always give solution for any problem and introduce themselves as leaders of struggling against terrorism, are unaware of this point that the terrorists abuse them.

Unfortunately, we most say that our country were abused of its rights after including the terrorist group of Mujahedeen-e Khalq in Geneva forth convention by US.

Briefly, we can evaluate as Iran nation the west countries support of terrorists in any ways.

But on the other hand, what have west countries done?

They claim that they have placed Mujahedeen-e Khalq in terrorist list!

This claim is baseless and meaningless because of two clear points:

The west countries have not done any thing against Mujahedeen-e Khalq terrorist group in comparison with other terrorist group and organization, which threaten their interests. It’ll be enough, if you research and follow US activities against Al Qaeda and it will be too clear for you, if you just compare Guantanamo, the prison of Al Qaeda’s members with Camp Ashraf, the camp of Mujahedeen-e Khalq in Iraq.

We most ask these powers that what has happened in their activities after placing their name in terrorist list. They can continue their crimes easily and without any restriction. For example when the formal spokesman of this terrorist group speaks in one of American TV channel as an analyst, don’t you doubt on this US claim that it struggle against terrorism? Or when they have presence freely in British, Norway And other countries parliaments to recruit new members, do you never suspect the truth of this list?

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We wasted your time just in order to reveal double treatments of West Country against terrorism.

I with number of children and relatives of terror martyrs formed an association to inform on this issue. We, as representatives of 16000 Iranian, who were martyred by terrorist group, expect professors and intellectuals to more consideration on terrible phenomena of terrorism, which caused that in any moment, many innocent people in all around the world were killed.

With best wishes for all

0 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsappTelegramSkypeEmail
Mujahedin Khalq 's Function

MKO Members Wave Israeli Flags

A number of supporters of terrorist organization of Mojahedin-e Khalq who waved the flags of Israel protested to the visit of Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki to Norway.

According to IRNA, around 50 MKO members and supporters who held and waved the flags of Zionist regime shouted slogans to protest to Mottaki’s visit to that country.

Mottaki is visiting Norway while traveling to a number of European countries.

IRNA

0 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsappTelegramSkypeEmail
The Ideology of the MEK

MEK Ideology

The State Department Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism on April 30 released the list of designated terrorist organizations. Once again Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK) continues to occupy the status it has been designated since 1997.  in a part we read:  "MEK ideology has gone through several iterations and blends elements of Marxism, Islam, and feminism. "

             

MEK Ideology

0 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsappTelegramSkypeEmail
Mujahedin Khalq 's Function

Political Stupidity of Rajavi and his Retarded Remnants

There’s a big question on why the gang of Rajavi came to presidential campaign in France, which had nothing to do with them.

Before answering this question, it should be clarified that Rajavi’s gang left a new record for its political stupidity since it was clear, from the beginning, who was going to win the elections.

The stupidity of MKO reached its peak in Iraq, far from Iraq, where the remnants of Rajavi held ceremonies and invited a few Arab women to ask French people to vote for Segolene Royal?!

MKO’s confusion, which results in such acts, is so complicated that many of those who are close to the group, as well as members of the Council, called it a naïve and unjustifiable act.

The explanation of Rajavi’s remnants was that they would have the support of socialist party even if Roayl was not elected; but they ignored the fact that if Sarkozy was elected president, they would have his eternal enmity! So, it was better for them to be silent and wait for the results to come out. However, taking modern gestures also led them to such stupidity.

The reasons for this open effort may lie in the fact that Sarkozy’s enmity with MKO was not something new and therefore, they did their best so that they may escape from the future they’re condemned to. Sarkozy has already expressed his views on the group and has shown how he would deal with them; at least, he would encounter their terrorist plans.

Why does the MKO resorts to such moves? Why does it have nothing to say, while it had congratulated its members over a weak resolution by UN Security Council against Iran?

Such moves all come from MKO’s desperation, which in its turn results from lack of popular support.

On the othern, such moves by Rajavi reflect the internal situation in Camp Ashraf.

News coming on daily basis indicates that confusion and desperation among MKO members in Camp Ashraf is increasing. Ashraf Gestapo is facing a big internal crisis for controlling the members, who struggle with the leaders.

Rajavi, who amused and entertained MKO members by the assistance of Saddam Hussein and with different games, now desperately tries to boost the morale of his forces and to make them busy with such moves. However, each time, he resorts to something that reveals his stupidity more than before.

During the past year, events like Iranian nuclear case, resolution of UN Sec. against Iran, the victory of Democrats in the congress… and the election of Sarkozy as president in France showed that even his backers are condemned to failure.

There’s no doubt that we should wait for another move by Rajavi in his efforts to amuse his forces.

Irandidban –  2007/05/09

 

0 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsappTelegramSkypeEmail
Missions of Nejat Society

The analytic statement of Nejat Society

The analytic statement of Nejat Society related to the recent report of US State Department The Iranian Mojahedin-é Khalq (MEK) remains on US terror list, a vital step towards the final destination: The US State Department Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism on April 30 released the list of designated terrorist organizations. Once again Mujahedin-é Khalq Organization (as well as the National Council of Resistance and the National Liberation Army) continues to occupy the status it has been designated since 1997.

The highlights of the report are as follows:

– The MEK advocates the violent overthrow of the Iranian regime and was responsible for the assassination of several U.S. military personnel and civilians in the 1970’s.

– MEK leadership and members across the world maintain the capacity and will to commit terrorist acts in Europe, the Middle East, the United State, Canada, and beyond.

– The MEK emerged in the 1960s as one of the most violent political movements opposed to the Pahlavi dynasty and its close relationship with the United States.

– MEK ideology has gone through several iterations and blends elements of Marxism, Islam, and feminism.

– The group rapidly fell out of favour with the Iranian people

– The group has planned and executed terrorist operations against the Iranian regime for nearly three decades from its European and Iraqi bases of operations.

– It has expanded its fundraising base, further developed its paramilitary skills, and aggressively worked to expand its European ranks.

– In addition to its terrorist credentials, the MEK has also displayed cult-like characteristics. Upon entry into the group, new members are indoctrinated in MEK ideology and revisionist Iranian history. Members are also required to undertake a vow of "eternal divorce" and participate in weekly "ideological cleansings." Children are reportedly separated from parents at a young age.

– MEK leader Maryam Rajavi has established a "cult of personality." She claims to emulate the Prophet Muhammad and is viewed by members as the "Iranian President in exile."

– The group’s worldwide campaign against the Iranian government uses propaganda and terrorism to achieve its objectives and has been supported by reprehensible regimes, including that of Saddam Hussein.

– The MEK instigated a bombing campaign, including an attack against the head office of the Islamic Republic Party and the Prime Minister’s office, which killed some 70 high-ranking Iranian officials, including Chief Justice Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, President Mohammad-Ali Rajaei, and Prime Minister Mohammad-Javad Bahonar.

– For five years (1981 – 1986), the MEK continued to wage its terrorist campaign from its Paris headquarters.

– MEK leaders turned to Saddam Hussein’s regime (1986) for basing, financial support, and training. Near the end of the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War, Baghdad armed the MEK with heavy military equipment and deployed thousands of MEK fighters in suicidal, mass wave attacks against Iranian forces.

– The MEK’s relationship with the former Iraqi regime continued through the 1990s. In 1991, the group reportedly assisted in the Iraqi Republican Guard’s bloody crackdown on Iraqi Shiites and Kurds who rose up against Saddam Hussein’s regime; press reports cite MEK leader Maryam Rajavi encouraging MEK members to "take the Kurds under your tanks."

– In April 1992, the MEK conducted near-simultaneous attacks on Iranian embassies and installations in 13 countries, demonstrating the group’s ability to mount large-scale operations overseas.

– In April 1999, the MEK targeted key Iranian military officers and assassinated the deputy chief of the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff, Brigadier General Ali Sayyaad Shirazi.

– In April 2000, the MEK attempted to assassinate the commander of the Nasr Headquarters. The pace of anti-Iranian operations increased during "Operation Great Bahman" in February 2000, when the group launched a dozen attacks against Iran. One of those attacks included a mortar attack against a major Iranian leadership complex in Tehran that housed the offices of the Supreme Leader and the President.

– In 2000 and 2001, the MEK was involved in regular mortar attacks and hit-and-run raids against Iranian military and law enforcement personnel, as well as government buildings near the Iran-Iraq border.

– In 2001, the FBI arrested seven Iranians in the United States who funnelled $400,000 to an MEK-affiliated organization in the UAE which used the funds to purchase weapons.

– Since 2003, roughly 3,400 MEK members have been encamped at Ashraf in Iraq, under the supervision of Coalition Forces.

– In 2003, French authorities arrested 160 MEK members at operational bases they believed the MEK was using to coordinate financing and planning for terrorist attacks.

– Upon the arrest of MEK leader Maryam Rajavi, MEK members took to Paris’ streets and engaged in self-immolation.

– According to evidence which became available after the fall of Saddam Hussein, the MEK received millions of dollars in Oil-for-Food program subsidies from Saddam Hussein from 1999 through 2003, which supported planning and executing future terrorist attacks. In addition to discovering 13 lists of recipients of such vouchers on which the MEK appeared, evidence linking the MEK to the former Iraqi regime includes lists, as well as video footage of Saddam Hussein handing over suitcases of money to known MEK leaders, and video of MEK operatives receiving training from the Iraqi military.

The report is by no means inclusive and some essential factors are deliberately missing. The evidential fact that the group celebrated the 11th of September terrorist incident in their camp in Iraq with the presence of Massoud and Maryam Rajavi has not been mentioned. Many former MEK members, both inside and outside Iran, have repeatedly testified the very fact that Maryam Rajavi in a meeting of about 2000 MEK members in Iraq praised the catastrophe and called it to the best interests of the MEK. The group’s present links with extremists in Iraq and former Iraqi Ba’th Party elements has not been mentioned in this report either. The US State Department should have referred to existing documented reports in order to let the actual facts be known by the people, as well as being recorded in the history.

In this report the “expatriate Iranian communities” have been referred to as the organisation’s present financial source. The truth is that the organisation, similar to many cults alike, is using cover societies to swindle people and absorb their financial aids by using deception and fraud.

Nevertheless the facts revealed in the report clearly prove that the group is a major threat for western citizens as well as Iranians and Iraqis. The report emphasises that the MEK is a personality cult and Maryam Rajavi is praised like an idol and the organisation is capable of executing terrorist acts in western countries.

Referring to this report and the Iraqi authorities decision that the members of MEK must be expelled from Iraq and the inhabitants of Ashraf Camp be freed, one may ask that why that decisive step is not taken. The State Department has revealed the nature of this group which leaves no doubts that the members of the group are the prime victims of a cult and their presence in Iraq has given the chance to the leaders to isolate them from their families and the outside world.

In one word the US State Department’s report describes MEK as a destructive terrorist cult. In this case, would it not be better to help the captive members of a dangerous cult to be saved from a horrific citadel and return to their families? The leaders of the cult must not be permitted further to keep their recruits as hostages using mind manipulation and then force them to commit self immolation and further immolating others. The official statement of the State Department is a grave and severe obstacle on the way of those who have aimed to play Saddam Hussein’s role for the MEK and to utilize this aggressive cult as “good terrorists”. Let’s hope that this process would end to the freedom of all captive recruits of the MEK.

Nejat Society calls upon all western countries particularly the US administration to take decisive measures to safeguard the future of those still captive in Ashraf Camp in Iraq and let them choose their own destiny and do not enter into the dangerous double standard policy of serving the MEK leaders the same way Saddam Hussein once did.

Nejat Society

9 May,2007

www.nejatngo.org

0 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsappTelegramSkypeEmail
Iran

Iran offers to help US find Iraq exit

Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian deputy foreign minister who attended last week’s conference on Iraq’s future at Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, has offered Tehran’s co-operation to the US in developing an “exit strategy” from Iraq.

Mr Araghchi on Tuesday said America and Iran had the “same interests” in a stable Iraq and that direct talks leading to a “face-saving withdrawal” were possible with Washington’s goodwill.

He dismissed as “theatrical behaviour” the comings and goings at Sharm el Sheikh – when Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki left a dinner when he was reportedly placed opposite Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state. But Mr Araghchi insisted Iran wanted to develop a common approach to Iraq’s future with Iraq’s other neighbours and “foreign forces”.

“Their invasion was a disaster – let there not be a disastrous withdrawal,” he said in an interview. “Yes, immediate withdrawal could lead to chaos, civil war. No one is asking for immediate withdrawal of foreign forces. But there should be a plan.”

Mr Araghchi, a career diplomat seen as a potential interlocutor with Washington, insisted the US presence was part of Iraq’s problem.

“Iraq is suffering a vicious cycle. There are foreign forces who have occupied Iraq and justify their presence under the pretext of the ‘war on terror’ and there are terrorists who claim they are fighting occupiers.”

Mr Araghchi welcomed the outcome of Sharm el Sheikh, identifying four principles emerging as acceptable to Iraq’s neighbours: support for the elected government in Baghdad; greater authority for the government in “politics, economics and especially security”; boosting the Iraqi army and police; and help for reconstruction.

The deputy foreign minister dismissed US claims that Iran had supplied Iraqi insurgents. “They should stop blaming others for problems they have themselves created.

“In fact, the number of weapons that have come into Iran from Iraq is high, as you can see by reading the crime pages of [Iranian] newspapers. Terrorist groups as well as criminals see Iraq as an opportunity.”

Mr Araghchi said Washington’s relationship with “terrorist” groups hostile to Iran made Tehran sceptical of its intentions.

He cited the Mujahedin-e-Khalq, the Iranian group under US “protection” in Iraq, and Pejak, an Iranian Kurdish faction linked to the Kurdistan Workers party, based in northern Iraq.

He said Iran also believed the US and Britain had links to militants responsible for killing officials and civilians in Iran’s south-east province of Sistan-Baluchestan and in Khuzestan in the south-west.

But no pressure would lead Iran to give up its nuclear programme, for which it was prepared to “pay the price”, Mr Araghchi said.

“There are two options – confrontation and co-operation. If they [the west] prefer confrontation, then let’s go together . . . .

“What has been the result of three (UN) Security Council resolutions, two introducing sanctions? Iran has quickened the pace of its peaceful activities and reduced its co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency . . . This can go on, but the result is an escalation of the crisis.”

Financial Times, May 08, 2007

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/f9f7f8fe-fd95-11db-8d62-000b5df10621.html

0 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsappTelegramSkypeEmail
USA

Mojahedin remains on US terror list

The State Department Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism on April 30 released the list of designated terrorist organizations. Once again Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK) continues to occupy the status it has been designated since 1997.

MEK is also active under a variety of other pseudonyms known as MKO; Mujahedin-e Khalq; Muslim Iranian Students’ Society; National Council of Resistance; National Council of Resistance (NCR); Organization of the People’s Holy Warriors of Iran; The National Liberation Army of Iran (NLA); The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI); National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI); Sazeman-e Mujahedin-e Khalq-e Iran.

Although the designation is not new, but a reference to its activities contributes to the EU decisiveness to keep it on its terror list. One of the reasons contradicting MEK’s claim of renouncing terrorist activities since June 2001 is well defined by the State Department’s explanation of the group’s activities:

"In 2003, French authorities arrested 160 MEK members at operational bases they believed the MEK was using to coordinate financing and planning for terrorist attacks. Upon the arrest of MEK leader Maryam Rajavi, MEK members took to Paris’ streets and engaged in self-immolation. French authorities eventually released Rajavi." [Rajavi was released on bail and is currently awaiting trial on terrorism charges.]

 

The report reads:

http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/2006/82738.htm

 

Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK)

 

a.k.a. MKO; Mujahedin-e Khalq; Muslim Iranian Students’ Society; National Council of Resistance; National Council of Resistance (NCR); Organization of the People’s Holy Warriors of Iran; The National Liberation Army of Iran (NLA); The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI); National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI); Sazeman-e Mujahedin-e Khalq-e Iran

 

Description

 

The MEK advocates the violent overthrow of the Iranian regime and was responsible for the assassination of several U.S. military personnel and civilians in the 1970’s. MEK leadership and members across the world maintain the capacity and will to commit terrorist acts in Europe, the Middle East, the United State, Canada, and beyond.

 

The MEK emerged in the 1960s as one of the more violent political movements opposed to the Pahlavi dynasty and its close relationship with the United States. MEK ideology has gone through several iterations and blends elements of Marxism, Islam, and feminism. Following its participation in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the group rapidly fell out of favor with the Iranian people. The new Iranian government under Supreme Leader Khomeini systematically arrested and targeted many MEK members, causing most MEK leadership to flee to Europe. In 1986, MEK leaders and operatives were evicted from France and provided a safe haven in Iraq by Saddam Hussein. The group has planned and executed terrorist operations against the Iranian regime for nearly three decades from its European and Iraqi bases of operations. Additionally, it has expanded its fundraising base, further developed its paramilitary skills, and aggressively worked to expand its European ranks. In addition to its terrorist credentials, the MEK has also displayed cult-like characteristics. Upon entry into the group, new members are indoctrinated in MEK ideology and revisionist Iranian history. Members are also required to undertake a vow of "eternal divorce" and participate in weekly "ideological cleansings." Additionally, children are reportedly separated from parents at a young age. MEK leader Maryam Rajavi has established a "cult of personality." She claims to ulate the Prophet Muhammad and is viewed by members as the "Iranian President in exile."

Activities

 

The group’s worldwide campaign against the Iranian government uses propaganda and terrorism to achieve its objectives and has been supported by reprehensible regimes, including that of Saddam Hussein. During the 1970s, the MEK assassinated several U.S. military personnel and U.S. civilians working on defense projects in Tehran and supported the violent takeover in 1979 of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Despite U.S. efforts, MEK members have never been brought to justice for the group’s role in these illegal acts.

 

In 1981, MEK leadership attempted to overthrow the newly installed Islamic regime; Iranian security forces subsequently initiated a crackdown on the group. The MEK instigated a bombing campaign, including an attack against the head office of the Islamic Republic Party and the Prime Minister’s office, which killed some 70 high-ranking Iranian officials, including Chief Justice Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, President Mohammad-Ali Rajaei, and Prime Minister Mohammad-Javad Bahonar. These attacks resulted in a popular uprising against the MEK and an expanded Iranian government crackdown which forced MEK leaders to flee to France. For five years, the MEK continued to wage its terrorist campaign from its Paris headquarters. Expelled by France in 1986, MEK leaders turned to Saddam Hussein’s regime for basing, financial support, and training. Near the end of the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War, Baghdad armed the MEK with heavy military equipment and deployed thousands of MEK fighters in suicidal, mass wave attacks against Iranian forces.

 

The MEK’s relationship with the former Iraqi regime continued through the 1990s. In 1991, the group reportedly assisted in the Iraqi Republican Guard’s bloody crackdown on Iraqi Shia and Kurds who rose up against Saddam Hussein’s regime; press reports cite MEK leader Maryam Rajavi encouraging MEK members to "take the Kurds under your tanks." In April 1992, the MEK conducted near-simultaneous attacks on Iranian embassies and installations in 13 countries, demonstrating the group’s ability to mount large-scale operations overseas. In April 1999, the MEK targeted key Iranian military officers and assassinated the deputy chief of the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff, Brigadier General Ali Sayyaad Shirazi.

 

In April 2000, the MEK attempted to assassinate the commander of the Nasr Headquarters, Tehran’s interagency board responsible for coordinating policies on Iraq. The pace of anti-Iranian operations increased during "Operation Great Bahman" in February 2000, when the group launched a dozen attacks against Iran. One of those attacks included a mortar attack against a major Iranian leadership complex in Tehran that housed the offices of the Supreme Leader and the President. In 2000 and 2001, the MEK was involved in regular mortar attacks and hit-and-run raids against Iranian military and law enforcement personnel, as well as government buildings near the Iran-Iraq border. Also in 2001, the FBI arrested seven Iranians in the United States who funneled $400,000 to an MEK-affiliated organization in the UAE which used the funds to purchase weapons. Following an initial Coalition bombardment of the MEK’s facilities in Iraq at the outset of Operation Iraqi Freedom, MEK leadership negotiated a cease-fire with Coalition Forces and voluntarily surrendered their heavy-arms to Coalition control. Since 2003, roughly 3,400 MEK members have been encamped at Ashraf in Iraq, under the supervision of Coalition Forces.

 

In 2003, French authorities arrested 160 MEK members at operational bases they believed the MEK was using to coordinate financing and planning for terrorist attacks. Upon the arrest of MEK leader Maryam Rajavi, MEK members took to Paris’ streets and engaged in self-immolation. French authorities eventually released Rajavi. Although currently in hiding, Rajavi has made appearances via video-satellite to "motivate" MEK-sponsored conferences across the globe.

According to evidence which became available after the fall of Saddam Hussein, the MEK received millions of dollars in Oil-for-Food program subsidies from Saddam Hussein from 1999 through 2003, which supported planning and executing future terrorist attacks. In addition to discovering 13 lists of recipients of such vouchers on which the MEK appeared, evidence linking the MEK to the former Iraqi regime includes lists, as well as video footage of Saddam Hussein handing over suitcases of money to known MEK leaders, and video of MEK operatives receiving training from the Iraqi military.

 

Strength

 

Estimates place MEK’s worldwide membership in the several thousands, with large pockets in Paris and other major European capitals. In Iraq, roughly 3,400 MEK members are gathered under Coalition supervision at Camp Ashraf, the MEK’s main compound north of Baghdad, where they have been designated as "protected persons" under Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. This status does not affect the group’s members outside of Camp Ashraf or the MEK’s designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. As a condition of the 2003 cease-fire agreement, the MEK relinquished more than 2,000 tanks; armored personnel carriers; and heavy artillery. A significant number of MEK personnel have voluntarily left Ashraf, and an additional several hundred MEK defectors have been voluntarily repatriated to Iran. Many MEK leaders and operatives, however, remain at large, and the number of at-large MEK operatives who received weapons and bomb-making instruction from Saddam Hussein’s regime remains a source of significant concern.

 

Location/Area of Operation

 

In the 1980s, the MEK’s leaders were forced by Iranian security forces to flee to France. Following France’s recognition of the Iranian regime in 1986, the group’s leadership was forced out of France and took up residence in Iraq. The MEK maintains its main headquarters in Paris and has concentrations of members across Europe, in addition to the large concentration of MEK located at Camp Ashraf in Iraq. The MEK’s global support structure remains in place with associates and supporters scattered throughout Europe and North America. Operations target Iranian regime elements across the globe, including in Europe and Iran. MEK’s political arm, the NCRI, has a global support network with active lobbying and propaganda efforts in major Western capitals. NCRI also has a well-developed media communications strategy.

 

External Aid

 

Before Operation Iraqi Freedom began in 2003; the MEK received all of its military assistance and most of its financial support from Saddam Hussein. The fall of Saddam’s regime has led MEK to increasingly rely on front organizations to solicit contributions from expatriate Iranian communities.

 

 

 US, State Department Office, May 2, 2007

   

0 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsappTelegramSkypeEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts