USA

The End of MKO’s Historical Opportunities

Three important events took place in recent weeks, every one of which could have significant impacts on the situation of terrorist MKO so that they could even lead to the removal of this group’s name from terror list (by the US) if they were considered an important element in Iran’s political scene.

These events were as follows:

1. The focus of different US agencies and parties on Iran,

2. Western countries’ decision to deal with Iran’s nuclear issue in the UN Security Council,

3. Crisis in the Middle East and the invasion of Israel to Lebanon.

Also, with a lower level of importance, US’s failure to advance its goals in Iraq can be added to these events.

* The focus of different US parties on Iran

Different parties in the US (including democrats, republicans and Neo-conservatives) began strong efforts during recent months to prove their views on Iran and used different Iranian figures and movements to convince the administration about the way to confront Iran.

State Department held a meeting and invited a number of reformists and student activists to discuss the issue of Iran. Although some of these people refused to participate in the meeting because they were concerned it might have a negative impact on their fame in Iran, the meeting was held with the participation of unimportant figures, which indicates the existence of an approach on Iran in the US administration. This approach calls on the US administration to be realistic about Iran.

Also, Enterprise Institute, represented and respected by many of Republicans and Neo-Conservatives, expressed its own solutions for the issue of Iran, which include "sanctions, targeting Iranian nuclear sites, trying to change the regime through the support of democratic forces inside Iran and creating a revolution".

Ledeen, of course, questions each of these solutions. On sanctions, he believes that it can’t change the regime and that long-term economical sanctions against Iran will be fruitless.

Although he himself proposes measures targeting of Iranian installations, he thinks it will unify Iranians against the US; he also reminds that Americans’ information on Iran after the revolution of 1979 has been bad and that one should not be optimistic about planning a military operation on the basis of current information.

About supporting Iranian opposition to create a revolution, Ledeen admits that no one knows if a revolution will be successful, and- in the case of success- stable, in Iran.

Ledeen says the US lacks enough intelligence and power to attack Iran and emphasizes on a good and strong relationship and establishing radio and TV channels against Iran.

On the other hand, IPC (Iran Policy Committee)- which is comprised of a number of figures close to Neocons in Washington- has again asked the Bush administration to use 3800 MKO members to put more pressure on the Islamic Republic.

Totally, the whole views and ideas of different parties in the US can be summarized in a line, one end of which proposes negotiations and relations with Iran and the other suggests wide military action. However, what concerns the MKO in this issue is that they have no place in proposals (on the table of US administration) and that they are not worthy to be invested on.

In the US, the only agencies that like to use this group as a tool, and in short time (and not as an alternative), are CIA (although it believes the group should not be delisted) and Pentagon.

* Western countries’ decision to deal with Iran’s nuclear issue in the UN Security Council

MKO tried to take advantage of Iran’s nuclear issue, therefore it played the game of claiming to have credible knowledge on Iran; they believed that the best case scenario for them is that Iran’s nuclear case is dealt with inside the UN Security Council. They welcomed the referral of Iran’s case to UN Security Council because they feared the continuation of negotiations between Iran and the Western countries for they know that such negotiations will lead to more restriction of their group. But in a long-term perspective, they believed that UN Security Council paves the way for a military action on Iran. With this, they hope the US will change its policies, delists their group, rearms them and uses them in its fight with Iran.

But the US has shown that in Iran’s nuclear case, it’s more looking for political pressure; this can also be found in the US’s new turn toward European policies. So, giving points to a terrorist group has no place in such a policy.

* Crisis in the Middle East and the invasion of Israel to Lebanon

When Saddam Hussein opened his arms to the MKO and used them in the war against Iran, he wanted the Iranian side to understand that he couldn’t stand Iran’s support for Iraqi opposition groups and that he was also trying to balance the powers.

Although his support for a group like the MKO (in comparison with Shiite and Kurdish parties that represent a huge part of Iraqi population and were supported by Iran) was nothing, it apparently justified the balance of powers.

Now that the US is strongly supporting Israel and accuses Iran of supporting Hizballah, MKO tries to appear as a force that can counter Hizballah so that the US may choose them for its confrontation with Iran.

MKO supporters in the US had also suggested the use of MKO to control Hizballah activities, but the MKO is too discredited to be taken seriously by the US administration.

Situation in Iraq is similar. While the MKO, recognizing the US sensitivity about Iran’s influence in Iraq, introduces itself as a dam against Iran, the position of Americans (designating the MKO as terrorist and restricting its members in Camp Ashraf) has not changed; to show their satisfaction with recent decision of Iraqi government on MKO, Americans preferred to stay silent.

The whole factors and parameters mentioned above have created opportunities that should be viewed as best chances from MKO’s viewpoint; however, these very opportunities couldn’t change the status of MKO and save them from the limitations and restrictions.

The failure of such opportunities shows the historical death of this group. A group that is ready to do anything possible for the US, but it’s still being ignored.

Irandidban  –   2006/07/1

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Mujahedin Khalq 's Terrorism

MKO Provides Intelligence for Other Terrorists

"Iraqi security services’ report indicate that the group of Mojahedin-e khalq gathers intelligence on Iraqi officials and authorities and gives this intelligence to other terrorist groups in the country," said Haydar Ebadi, Iraqi MP from the list of Iraq’s Unified List.

This comment follows the statements of Iraqi PM, accusing the Iraqi-based Iranian opposition group of interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq.

In a press conference, Nuri al-Maliki announced that the MKO, which acts against Islamic Republic of Iran, is clearly and widely interfering in Iraq’s social and political affairs.

Iraqi prime minister emphasized that MKO is a terrorist group and its presence in Iraq contradicts Iraqi constitution.

BBC Arabic  –  2006/07/29

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/middle_east_news/newsid_5198000/5198568.stm

 

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The MEK Expulsion from Iraq

MKO Will Be Expelled Soon

Mohammed Majid al-Sheikh, Iraq’s ambassador to Iran, announced that following the new restrictions on the terrorist group of Mojahedin-e Khalq, this group will be expelled from Iraq in a near future.

Saying the above, Iraqi ambassador, who was visiting the office of Mardomsalari newspaper, thanked Iranian people and government for their help to the Iraqi government and asked for the continuation of bilateral friendly ties of the two sides.

ISNA  –  2006/07/29

 

   

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Iraqi Authorities' stance on the MEK

Expulsion of Terrorists Stressed by Hakim

"Paramilitary groups should be dismantled, the use of weapons should be stopped, and the operation of releasing those prisoners who have been involved in terrorist activities should be brought to a halt," said Abdul Aziz al-Hakim.

According to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, the head of Iraq’s SCIRI, who was speaking at the third anniversary of the assassination of Seyed Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim, stressed the need to direct efforts toward the formation of a federal government in southern and central Iraq and said:

"Security in Iraq can be guaranteed only along with issues like dismantling paramilitary groups, promoting the culture of obeying the law and disarming people."

He also called for the expulsion of terrorist groups from Iraq, with the MKO at top, and stressed that terrorist prisoners should not be freed. "A number of people involved in recent terrorist operations have been released. Releasing prisoners should be done under the supervision of parliament."

He said the role of fighting terrorism law should be strengthened and all those who support terrorism should be punished.

The head of SCIRI asked for the continuation of security cooperation with neighboring countries, the signing of agreements for extradition of criminals, border guarding and expulsion of suspects who don’t believe in Iraq’s new political regime. He also stressed the need for the formation of federal government in southern and central Iraq and said:

"We need federalism to establish security and development and believe that the government should take this issue very seriously."

He condemned Israeli crimes against Lebanon and asked Arab and Islamic countries to support the Lebanese and go on with their efforts to push towards ceasefire.

ISNA  –    2006/07/30

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MEK Camp Ashraf

Who Is Concerned about Camp Ashraf Residents?

The families of the Mojahedin Khalq’s members residing in Camp Ashraf in Iraq have recurrently, in separate letters, warned the international humanitarian bodies, especially the International Committee of the Red Cross, of the members’ serious condition. That is natural in a war-torn country to witness a shortcoming in people’s essential needs, but the worst happens to the residents of a camp suffering double imposed restrictions, first by the camp’s own controlling authorities and then by the coalition forces.

The restricted members have to suffer against their own will. At a time when they are in need of urgent action by the international institutions, the camp commanders, supported by the occupying forces, have prohibited any visit to the camp. At the same time, the heads of the organization running a comfortable life in European countries, organize rallies to weep crocodile tears over the members’ serious condition in Camp Ashraf.

In a recent protesting rally in Geneva reported by NCRI, “a delegation representing the protestors marched to the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross to deliver a letter on behalf of hundreds of families of the PMOI members residing in Ashraf City”. Nothing is known about the contents of the letter but for sure it never demanded the Red Cross to visit Camp Ashraf. A regular visit of the Red Cross Committee from the camp to have a free interview with the members might put an end to all sufferings and anxieties.

mojahedin.ws –  30/07/2006

 

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The MEK; Baath Party Accomplice

Expulsion of Terrorist MKO, an Honor for Iraq

Mr. Nuri Al-Maliki, the prime minister of Iraq, announced that he will soon order the expulsion of MKO members from Iraq.

This organization has nearly 4000 members, based in Camp Ashraf north of Baghdad. A group of MKO leaders left Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein and some others returned to Iran following the issue of public pardon for them. Those who couldn’t go to Iran or Europe have remained in this camp, banned from entering the US or a European country because the group has been on terror list for years and everyone knows the members of the group as "terrorists".

After the fall of Saddam and during past 3 years, Iraqi governments were formed and all pushed coalition forces to expel this group from Iraq because they believe that the presence of these people in Iraq causes the anger of Iraqis. This organization was involved and played a murderous role in suppressing the uprising of Sha’baniah in the south and Kurds uprising in the north. Moreover, new Iraqi government believes that the MKO has close ties with the secret services of the former regime; in this regard, Iraqi officials have presented undeniable documents to coalition forces. Saddam’s secret service (Estekhbarat) used this group as a mercenary force to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs and launched terrorist attacks inside and outside Iran against the interests of this country.

Government has informed the coalition forces that the presence of this organization in Iraq has negative impact on the relations of Iran-Iraq and that "it’s hard to ask Iran to establish broader political-security cooperation with Iran while Iraq hosts the terrorist group of MKO. This terrorist group is still conducting terrorist activities and, by its radio and TV programs, tires to present an unreal image of Iran. However, during past 3 years and after the fall of Saddam, none of Iraqi officials have responded positively to the requests of this terrorist group for staying in Iraq. They all emphasize that its presence in Iraq has a negative effect on two side’s relations.

This organization had an active role in killing Kurds and destroying Kurdistan and some central and southern provinces during 90s and lawyers believe that the leaders and commanders of this terrorist group should be tried in Iraqi courts for the crimes they have committed against Iraqis.

Announcing the decision to expel these terrorist from Iraq, by the Iraqi PM, is turning point in securing stability in Iraq because giving shelter to the groups that have killed the children of this country, those who have destroyed the cities and villages of this country, seems illogical. It’s illogical to ask our neighbors to help us and be good neighbors while we provide shelter for the elements of a terrorist organization that’s plotting against them.

Perhaps one of the main concerns of Iraqi security officials is that the members of this group have formed a joint militia with some Baathist to kill Iraqi citizens and destroy the infrastructure of Iraq. It’s really surprising that Iraqi governments, before that of Mr. Maliki, didn’t expel this group from Iraq.

Some reports indicate that since the fall of Saddam, MKO has been giving secret information to Baathist forces to be used in order to assassinate Iraqi leaders.

Some of officials, from security services, report of MKO’s involvement in terrorist operations, the examples of which are the invasion on "Abu Hanifa Al-Naaman Mosque" in Azamiah district as well as raid on "Al-Sadeq mosque" in "Aur" district a few months ago; these operations were conducted in order to create religious and ethnic differences. During the raid on Abu Hanifa mosque, a number of these terrorist were arrested by the guards of the mosque and when identified as the members of MKO they were handed over to coalition forces before being released by them.

Since the MKO has been (before the fall of Saddam) and still is a threat for Iraqis and its presence in Iraq is interpreted as interfering in the internal affairs of neighboring countries, we believe that the decision of Prime Minister al-Maliki is exactly what Iraqis want and that, this decision before benefiting neighbors is beneficial for Iraq and Iraqis.

Ali Hussein Ali/Sotal Iraq

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The MEK Expulsion from Iraq

Iraq Gets Rid of MKO

"Iraqi government is looking for a way to get rid of MKO, which has been left from Saddam Hussein’s toppled regime in Iraq. Despite opposing the Iranian regime, this paramilitary group has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the European Union and the US," German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, wrote in an article.

Süddeutsche Zeitung, referring to post-Saddam era and the establishment of US forces in Iraq, wrote:

"Mojahedin-e Khalq organization was disarmed by US forces, but 4000 members of this group are still under the protection of Americans in Camp Ashraf, 120 km north of Baghdad. This group will possibly be used by Americans for gathering intelligence and, if necessary, for military operations."

"This is exactly what the Iraqi government doesn’t want to stand anymore. Last week, Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki announced that his government will treat the MKO as a terrorist organization. A committee has been formed to see if a third country accepts the MKO," the paper added.

According to Süddeutsche Zeitung, "this won’t be easy regarding the history of the MKO. During Iran-Iraq eight-year war, it was equipped with Iraqi weapons and fought Iranian forces with the financial backing of Saddam Hussein. Many of the members of current Shia government were then refugees in Iran. MKO, in cooperation with Saddam, acted several times against Iraqi Kurds. Arab or Islamic countries will hardly be willing to give shelter to this organization."

"MKO leadership has recently tried so much to remove the name of group from terrorist list. For this purpose, NCRI has held several press conferences in Auvers-sur-oise in Paris, where Maryam Rajavi lives. However, only a few politicians have responded to Rajavi’s request for the removal of her group from terror list."

Süddeutsche Zeitungalso added that: "Maryam Rajavi claims that she is not aware of whereabouts of her husband Massoud Rajavi, who’s being pursued by many secret services and group’s internal victims. He may have hidden himself in Camp Ashraf. Human Rights Watch organization last year accused the MKO of imprisoning and torturing internal dissidents."

By revealing the locations of Iranian nuclear sites, MKO tries to get legitimacy; but CIA and Pentagon are already aware of the cases and the information of MKO is not new. Besides, CIA and Pentagon are the only agencies in the US that agree to consider the MKO as a non-terrorist opposition.

Süddeutsche Zeitung said that MKO was designated as a terrorist organization by the US because of killing 6 US advisors in Shah’s army, its support for the execution of former regime officials by the leaders of Islamic Republic, and its involvement in occupying US embassy in Tehran.

DW-World   –   2006/07/29

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Ali Reza Jafarzade

MKO-Israel’s Endgame

Fox News, the channel of American warmongers, which seems to have faced legal restrictions for using the spokesman of terrorist MKO (Alireza Jafarzadeh), reported a letter from him- without inviting or showing him.

Terrorist MKO, that has been long trying to work for the strategic gaols of Israel in the region and instigate the US to open a war against Iran, took advantage of Israel’s war on Hizballah to charge Iran and call on the US to attack it.

Fox News anchorman quoted Jafarzadeh:

"What’s happening now in Lebanon didn’t come to occur overnight. To pave the way for this dirty war, Iran had recently increased deploying its missiles, ammunition and weapons to Lebanon. Member of Iranian revolutionary guards, who have been in Lebanon for years, boosted their presence in the region."

To have more effect on US officials, Jafarzadeh referred to the comments of Iranian leader and said:

"In a speech, which was aired by TV, [ayatollah] Khamenei said: "US president says Hizballah should be disarmed. This is what he and Zionists want, but it will never happen."

Then, Jafarzadeh points to irresponsible stance of Arab leaders of the region against the resistance of the Lebanese and says their stance along with Israel is due to their fear from Iran. "In an important and unexpected change, important Arab countries criticized mercenary Lebanese groups and their main supporter Iran for the current situation… the rare preparedness of these countries to take a stance against the will of majority of their people indicates their fear of Iran’s increasing influence in Iraq and the whole region."

In the end, Jafarzdeh suggests Americans to destroy Hizballah and the resistance of the Lebanese and, in the next step and in order to stop Iran’s increasing influence, consider attacking Iran a priority:

"Tehran has never paid the price of supporting terrorism in the past decades. Instead, Iranian regime has taken advantage of terrorism for receiving privileges from the West. The world community should make sure that Iran’s war machine is disabled in the Middle East. If Tehran’s terror machine is allowed to come out of the region’s crisis victorious, a disaster will take place."

There’s no doubt that Israel, by playing it recent game (the killing of innocent Lebanese and Palestinian civilians is only a small part of which), is trying to involved Syria and Iran in the war as well. When the US failed to mobilize world’s public opinion against Iran, Israel made this crisis and the MKO, following Israel’s policies, expressed its deep desperation over Iran’s referral to the UN Security Council. Mojahedin-e Khalq, who can survive only by the existence of crises, believes the only way for staying alive is to make a regional war.

However, the resistance of the Palestinians and Lebanese, vigilance of Iraqis and independence of Iranians foiled this last hope of Israelis and revealed the true nature of the enemies of the region’s Muslims.

Irandidban  –  2006/07/26

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Iraq

Arab Media Response to Maliki’s Comments

The comments of Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki on the terrorist organization of MKO have received great attention from Arab media:

ILAPH, quoting Al-Zaman, London, Ali Ayel

www.elaph.com/ElaphWeb/NewsPapers/2006/7/163861.htm

Nuri al-Malki the prime minister of Iraq warned 5000 MKO members (now in a camp in Iraq under US supervision) to look for a third country and leave iraq as soon as possible.

In this regard, Iraqi PM said: "the first step for Iraqi government to take is to ban MKO members from entering Iraq’s governmental institutions and organizations to distribute their statements. In addition, MKO members shouldn’t be allowed to leave their camp in Dyala province."

In a press conference in Baghdad, Maliki said the government had discussed the issue of MKO’s presence in Iraq. Referring to the fact that MKO is considered a terrorist group, Maliki said its presence in Iraq contradicts Iraqi constitution.

American forces have disarmed and restricted the members of the group. After their disarmament, Iraqi governing council ordered the expulsion of MKO and extradition of its members to Iran.

"After security services released a report on the activities of this group, government discussed the issue of MKO’s presence in Iraq and the relation of this issue to political-security situation," Maliki added.

He added that "MKO interferes in social and political issues as if it’s an Iraqi organization while it’s a terrorist organization and the presence of this group in Iraq contradicts the constitution. We have made decisions in this regard."

Iraqi PM also pointed to the formation of a special committee to follow the issue and make decisions on scheduling this group’s expulsion.

Al-Naba’:

www.annabaa.org/nbanews/58/150.htm

It seems that Nuri al-Maliki, Iraqi prime minister, has reached a firm decision on armed groups, because for the first time he openly talked about the situation of MKO in Iraq and its interferences in country’s internal affairs.

Despite being on US terror list, this group enjoys the support of some Americans.

Al-Khalij:

www.alkhaleej.ae/articles/show_article.cfm?val=287753

Al-Maliki stops the MKO

Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, said his government will soon take proper measures against the armed Iranian opposition group in Iraq.

He said he won’t allow the group to issue statements or its members to leave their camp.

He also reported of the formation of a committee for determining the status of this group in Iraq.

Arabic BBC:

www.alkhaleej.ae/articles/show_article.cfm?val=287753

Maliki accused the MKO of interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs.

In a press conference he said that MKO, which acts against Iran, is openly and widely interfering in Iraq’s political and social affairs.

"In addition, this group is a terrorist organization and its presence in Iraq violates Iraqi constitution," he added.

Maliki said his government has decided to take action against MKO.

A number of other articles on the issue can be accessed through the following addresses:

Global Netherlands (arabic.rnw.nl/data/2006/news/207200618.htm)

Aljazeera (www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CE78BD5A-618C-46D3-A8EC-457874F6DEEF.htm)

Al-Bawabe (www.albawaba.com/ar/news/250074)

Middle East Online (www.meo.tv/?id=39737)

Al-Ghad (Jordan) (www.alghad.jo/?news=109172)

Al-Shabibah newspaper (www.shabiba.com/newsdetails.asp?newsid=32189&catgid=4)

Irandidban  –  2006/07/25

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The MEK Expulsion from Iraq

Terrorist Plotters Have to Leave Iraq

In protest against the Iraqi Prime Minister’s recent statement concerning MKO, the group’s proxies in Western countries have started organizing rallies in a number of European cities. The scant number of the protesters, demonstrated in the reports and pictures of these rallies, indicate that the sympathizers, unlike the heads of the group, have come to understand that nothing might change the will of a nation and its legal government if they are going to decide on the future of their country.

In some banners carried by the protestors, they called for reaffirmation of Mojahedin’s political status in Iraq as they have been residing in that country for some 20 years. The group has never been invited to settle in Iraqi soil nor has been granted political asylum to have any claim at the moment. The protected status they claim to have been offered by the occupying forces invalidates as soon as these forces leave Iraq. Besides that, no power can coerce the legal authorities of a country to submit to an agreement they had no role in its making. The Iraqi Prime Minister has been not the first and won’t be the last to confirm Mojahedin’s expel from Iraq.

Reported by IRNA, at a Friday meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad, Iraq’s Deputy Interior Minister for Security, Affairs Shirvan Vaeli, talking on the issue of Mujahedin Khalq Organization stated:

"We are now preparing a comprehensive plan which requires approval of the government to expel the MKO from the country by the year end". "We strongly follow up the case because the MKO seeks to hatch plots against the Iraqi nation which has angered the Iraqi people," he underlined.

He further explained that officials at International Committee of the Red Cross and the United States have been informed of the need to take action to drive MKO out of Iraq.

Mojahedin.ws,  July 23, 2006

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