IranPeyvand

Beginning 11th of September 2001, the west has in the name of fighting terrorism made enormous investments in the Middle East with little to show for it in the past 5 years. In Afghanistan, the Taliban are growing stronger with each passing day. And in Iraq, the coalition military machine is stuck in the bloody conflict between Shiites and Sunnis.

Perhaps one of the explanations for this disaster can be that few, if any, western governments can come to an agreement as to what terrorism means. Whenever the economic and special interests of the west are in danger, there seems to be no hindrance or doubt in working with known terrorists. The violent and barbaric regime of Taliban came to power in 1996 amidst a civil war with the backing of Pakistan and C.I.A. with funding from Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. And it seems Pakistan is now being portrayed as a close ally in the fight against terrorism.

Saudi Arabia was one of the biggest contributors to the Taliban regime and was one of only three nations worldwide which recognized the Taliban as a legitimate government. Today, these three countries are regarded as the United States’ allies in the ‘war against terrorism’. There are many examples of such double standards, which begs the question, ‘how are we to trust the west’s intentions in this global battle against terrorism?’

The west conveniently ignores human rights issues in countries which it regards as allies such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and others. Clearly this ‘war on terror’ is a complex, multilayered issue.

A glaring example of the lack of clarity on this issue is that a number of western countries, in the name of fighting the Iranian regime, have chosen to support the terrorist cult of Mojahedin-e Khalq of Iran (aka MKO, PMOI, NCRI). The MKO has a 40 years’ history filled with violence and terrorist activities. This group has also shown the brunt of its viciousness toward its own members, and has resorted to torture and imprisonment and also killing of its internal opponents. The cult of Mojahedin-e Khalq, drew a large following with its anti-imperialist and anti-Israeli slogans during and after the revolution of 1979. They proclaimed in its newspaper that they would turn Iran to another Vietnam for the Americans and the assassination of six American personnel in Iran before the revolution was and always has been a proud achievement in their past. Of course they will deny this now, but documents and evidence show otherwise.

The MKO cult then fled to Iraq and for the next 20 years became a close ally of Saddam Hussein. Under the reign of Saddam Hussein the MKO became a more trusted part of his apparatus of power than his own Republican Guard. And he had good reasons for feeling that way. The MKO has a large and well connected public relations department that will distribute any news about Iran to the outside world no matter how small and insignificant. But it’s interesting to note that the Mojahedin-e Khalq have never publicly denounced the terrorist act of 11th of September either on their TV channels or their numerous websites or newspapers. Even more startling are the stories of joyful celebration which greeted the September 11th attack which were revealed by ex-members of MKO who fled the organization after the Iraq invasion of 2003 and the fall of Saddam Hussein. In 1991 when the Ba’athist Party and military was facing uprisings from the Iraqi masses, the MKO stood firm and helped to suppress the Iraqi people on Saddam Hussein’s orders. The Mojahedin-e Khalq saw their common interest with Saddam Hussein, and formed an even closer relationship with the Iraqi dictator.

Interestingly, the greatest support for the MKO beside Saddam Hussein has always come from the U.K. parliament; the House of Lords and the House of Commons. A number of these parliamentarians are unaccountably eager to present the MKO as an alternative to the current regime for the Iranian people.

A parliamentary group has been created for the so-called task of ‘freeing Iran’. I personally have no objection to efforts aimed at the establishment of a democratic government in Iran and have fought for the past 20 year for that same purpose. But when I see that these members of the British parliament are supporting a terrorist cult, then no matter how much I study it, I can’t seem to come to grips with the thinking and motives of these parliamentarians. I ask myself whether this is the result of old-fashioned British colonial thinking which deems it necessary to interject their involvement in the fate of Third World countries. Or could it be that the few individuals who openly support the MKO have short term interest in the form of payment from the MKO, as their reason of support? Or maybe it’s simply old age that has brought them to this decision?

When members of the Lords support the Mojahedin-e Khalq, then democracy and human rights have surely lost their meaning.

I’m certain that none of this support will lead anywhere simply because the MKO have no base of support in Iran and there is nothing but contempt for an organization that is seen as treacherous and an enemy of the people.

Western politicians must become aware that the people of Iran hate the MKO with a passion. Hundreds of former members of the MKO who have left the organization and have are settled around Europe and other countries are more than willing to speak about the facts surrounding this dangerous, destructive cult. I look forward to the time that particular members of the House of Lords finally pay attention to these facts.

Respectfully,

Karim Haghi Moni

November 22, 2006

Iran Peyvand Association

Iran Peyvand Association,Karim Haghi Moni,November 22, 2006