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France rejects supporting Mujahedeen-e-Khalq

In a reaction to summons of its ambassador in Tehran, French government announced that it didn’t backed the activities of People’s Mujahedin of Iran or Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK) but the opposition group can carry out, like any other association, its activities.

France on Thursday rejected Iranian accusations that it backs an exiled opposition group that was the possible target of a bomb plot near Paris last week, saying an investigation would determine the real sponsors of the planned attack.

Iran’s foreign ministry on Tuesday summoned envoys from France, Germany and Belgium in protest at the arrest of an Iranian diplomat in Germany in connection with the alleged plan to bomb the annual National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), political wing for MEK, rally on the outskirts of Paris on June 30.

It also accused France of supporting the group, which is classified by Tehran as a terrorist organization.

The French foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday that its ambassador had been summoned on July 3 following the rally, but dismissed any suggestion that it supported the NCRI.

Iranian authorities “were reminded that France supports neither the ideology, objectives nor activities of the MEK. However, having been removed from the European list of terrorist organizations, this organization can carry out, like any other association, activities, as long as they do not undermine public order”, a French diplomatic source told Reuters.

French judicial sources said on Wednesday they had received a request from Belgium to extradite a man of Iranian origin who was arrested in Paris on suspicion of links to the plot.

Belgium is investigating two Belgians of Iranian origin arrested on Saturday. Five hundred grams of the homemade explosive TATP and a detonation device were found in their car, according to Belgian investigators.

An Austria-based Iranian diplomat is also being held in Germany in connection with the alleged bomb plot.

“On the planned attack at Villepinte (just outside Paris), an investigation is in progress. It will have to determine the real sponsors of this projected attack,” the French diplomatic source said.

Iran has said it had nothing to do with the plot, which it called as a “false flag” operation staged by figures within the NCRI.

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Habilian Foundation

Female victims of terrorism offer recommendations at UN Human Rights Council

The women victims of terrorism called for strengthening international cooperation to reduce the problems of women affected by terrorism in the world in the 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Representatives of the Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism attended the 36th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council under the motto”Empowering Women Victims of Terrorism as a Necessity for the Future of Human Beings”, and offered recommendations to UN mandate holders, representatives of states, human rights activists, and other NGOs.

The Association proposed some projects to the UN mandate holders to strengthen the role of the UN in protecting women affected by terrorism and emphasized the implementation of such proposals which were welcomed by the UN officials.

ADVT delegate held a side-event on”Empowering Women Victims of Terrorism”attended by experts from Spain, Britain, Cameroon and Iran. They analyzed and explained the situation of women affected by terrorism in the world and offered solutions.

“International law is still incomplete when it comes to protecting these women. During war times, the protection granted by the Geneva Conventions isn’t enough. Besides, terrorism is becoming more complex, so the international community should have a more dynamic approach to women’s protection from terrorism,”one of the law professors said.

One of the prominent and impressive points raised at this side-event was the testimonies delivered by women victims of terrorism. One of the victims was Ms. Manijeh Safiyari who explained how she was affected by a terrorist act.

“I was a 17 year-old girl when I lost my right leg from up the knee in a bomb explosion by Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization in Tehran Bazaar. My mother who was with me was injured and is now disabled. At that age, while I had only one leg, I did my best to keep myself and my family calm and avoid isolation. I continued to study, started college and obtained a bachelor’s degree, and now I drive with the left foot and go swimming. I also participated in sports events in the fields of discus throw, weightlifting, archery and shooting with a pistol, and at last, I joined the darts tournament, and in all of these fields I received a national title and a lot of medals,”she said.

The session is now being held from 11 to 29 September for three weeks.

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European Union

Le Soir: EU not to grant asylum to the MEK members

Mujahedin Khalq bad history hinders the processes of its members’ resettlement, ISNA quoted Le Soir Newspaper.Le Soir: EU not to grant asylum to the MEK members

Le Soir, the French language Belgian Newspaper in a report wrote that the Belgium has informed the UN secretary General on the countries’ decision to accept 200 members of the MKO on the condition of their detachment from political activities.

However the foreign Ministers of Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Finland ; during a meeting held two weeks ago have decided not to grant asylum to the members of MKO based on the current provisions.

Le Soir also urged the United States to make more effort to move MKO members from Iraq and locate places for their resettlement in US.

Translated by Nejat Society

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The MEK Expulsion from Iraq

Iraq: Camp Ashraf to be closed in coming days

Iranian envoy to Baghdad said Iraq’s crude output would be under the framework of OPEC quota.

All Mojahedin Khalq to be deported as their presence is against National security

Hassan Danai-Far referred to unilateral banking and oil sanctions imposed against Iran by the U.S. and EU and the replacement of Iran’s oil by some other countries, saying Iraq’s crude output would be under the framework of its OPEC quota.

Danai-Far told ISNA it is Saudi Arabia which seeks providing Iran’s replaced oil and tries to create smear campaign against Iran.

He referred to some media and individuals trying to disrupt Iran-Iraq relations, adding the existing ties between the two countries are satisfying and that the country has not made any decision on increasing its crude output more than its OPEC share.

He also referred to MKO terrorist group, saying, "As we know Iraqi government is determined to transfer and expel the group from the country and Camp Ashraf."

Iranian official noted two thirds of the group have been transferred to Camp Liberty, a placement for their transfer to other countries, and the rest would be transferred soon.

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Mujahedin Khalq Organization as a terrorist group

Azerbaijan envoy: MKO, PJAK’s ideology oppose to ours

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran Javanshir Akhundov denied any support from the country for the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO)terrorist group. Azerbaijan envoy: MKO, PJAK's ideology oppose to ours

He said, “MKO’s ideology is based on Communism and Marxism which is in opposition to ours.”

“Why should we help PJAK? This group stands against our ideology,” said Javanshir Akhundov in response to a question about his country’s stance on MKO and PJAK terrorist groups, Habilian Association (families of Iranian terror victims) database reported.

He further explained that this group is “the enemy of our friends, Iran and Turkey. What is our interest in supporting them?”

Denying any Azerbaijan’s support for MKO terrorist group, Akhundov said that “MKO ideology is based on Communism and Marxism which is in opposition to ours.”

“Communism and Marxism brought about a lot of damages to Azerbaijani people; we do not accept them (in Azerbaijan).”

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran went on to say that," Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization members are living at a camp in Iraq, from which they are increasingly escaping to other countries.”

“Approaching one or two of them to the UN office in Baku is not enough to raise objections against UN office.”

He described all the news and analysis regarding the acceptance of MKO and PJAK by Azerbaijan as “falsification”, adding there is no reason for protecting MKO and PJAK by Azerbaijan.

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Iraq

Iraq says not to allow PJAK, MKO to act

Iraqi ambassador to Iran Majid al-Sheikh said his country would not allow PJAK and MKO to act inside the Arab country.
"Iraq is resolute not to allow Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) members to stay inside its territory. Situation would be very hard for them (the group members) to stay inside Iraqi soil after upcoming withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq," he told ISNA.

"Iraq will never allow any terrorist cell to act against its neighboring states," the Iraqi top diplomat added.

As to press reports on giving lands of Iraqi Kurdistan region to PJAK terrorist network, the ambassador noted, "no terrorist group including PJAK and MKO is permitted to act against neighboring states based on Iraqi Constitution."

Regarding American forces’ exit from Iraq, he said, "the issue will be decided upon in phases. People in Iraq do not want that outsiders remain inside Iraq."

"Iraqi nation and establishment do not want existence of any organization inside its soil which uses the country for operations against neighboring states, particularly against Iran."

"Iraqi government preferred the issued (expulsion of MKO from Iraq) be settled through a trilateral committee by Iran, Iraq and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). We had called for the EU to host these people and distribute them in different states. The group has no position inside Iraq."

As to Iran-Iraq shared borders and marking land borders, the Iraqi diplomat said, "land borders’ marking will be accomplished by next year, as experts believe."

Meanwhile concerning shared oil pools, he said, "the two countries (Iran and Iraq) have agreed not to use joint oil pools as long as the issue of shared borders has remained unsettled."

As to delay in transfer of Iran’s gas to Europe through Iraq, Syria and Turkey, he said, "a meeting scheduled to discuss the issue was cancelled due to some problems of other countries."

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The MEK Expulsion from Iraq

SIIC rep: MKO members should leave Iraq end of 2011

Members of Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) should completely leave Iraq by the end of 2011, said Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC) representative in Tehran, Majed Ghamas.
"MKO members should leave Iraq and Ashraf Camp based on Iraqi government’s official stance and there should be no trace of them inside Iraq by the end of 2011. There are minority of people who are against withdrawal of the group from Iraq, but Kurds, Shiites and overwhelming majority of Sunnis are against presence of MKO members inside Iraq," he told ISNA.

Ghamas then added, "the US forces took control of Ashraf Camp after Saddam’s collapse and prevented Iraqi forces to become close to the camp. This was not only a military but a political support as well."

Regarding failure in evacuation of the terrorist group from the camp, he said, "Iraq forces tried to take control of the camp after withdrawal of the US forces from Iraqi cities, but they faced MKO heads’ swift reaction which led to killing and injury of 60 Iraqi forces."

He added the US pressures to block the move currently as well as third countries’ refusal to host the MKO members are other reasons behind the issue.

As to formation of a trilateral committee of Iran, Iraq and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for expulsion of the group, he said, "the basis of formation of the committee is a positive measure and assists Iraq for expulsion of the group from its soil."

Regarding ways through which MKO members are supplied with military equipment, he said, "the organization has lacked military entity after occupation of Iraq by the US forces since Americans have taken large amount of their weapons. But MKO members are working closely with al-Qaeda and Baathist terrorists and they have particular bilateral intelligence cooperation."

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Iraqi Authorities' stance on the MEK

Zebari: Iraqi committee will decide for Mojahedin

The Camp Ashraf , home to more than 3,000 members of the Mujahedeen Khalgh Organization (MKO) has been under spotlight once more.

An Iraqi committee is to specify ways for terrorist MKO exit, said Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zabari on Tuesday.

Zebari: Iraqi committee will decide for Mojahedin Khalq / US troops have to leave by end of the year

He made the remarks in a press briefing with Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi and said, "Iraqi regime’s stance for future of the group is clear. We have agreed that members of the group, now residing in Camp Ashraf, go to other countries. We have called for European parliaments and organizations to assist us and host some members of the group."

Zabari also said a committee is to be formed in Baghdad soon to determine ways for MKO members’ exit.

As to Iraq-US Security Pact, Zebari said, "the US troops need to leave Iraqi soil by the end of 2011."
Also Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi is to visit Iraq on June 6 to join economic commission meeting.

The two sides also stressed expansion of mutual economic and political cooperation as well.
The MKO is listed as a terrorist group by much of the international community.

Founded in the 1960s, the group has masterminded many terrorist operations in Iran and Iraq.
The group is especially notorious in Iran for having sided with former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.

The MKO has been in Iraq’s Diyala province since the 1980s.

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The MEK Expulsion from Iraq

Iran, Iraq stress Washington backed MEK exit

Iranian and Iraqi foreign ministers stressed Iraqi government should pursue withdrawal of terrorist Mujahidin Khalq Organization (MKO) from its soil.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari met on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meeting in Indonesia, where the two sides expressed satisfaction over growing bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting Zebari referred to his upcoming trip to Tehran for further talks and pursuit of bilateral agreements and said, "Iraqi government is pursuing withdrawal of MKO members from its soil."

The two sides then discussed recent Middle Eastern issues including Bahrain, Libya and Yemen and criticized the US dual-track strategy on the developments.

Iran and Iraq also highlighted necessity of further mutual consultations to take appropriate stances on the Middle Eastern matters.

Salehi then held talks with Brunei’s Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkiah on expansion of mutual ties.

Iranian Foreign Minister said his country is ready to boost ties with Brunei on economic, cultural, political and educational domains.

Salehi also met with Pakistani advisor minister and Chinese deputy foreign minister as well.
Foreign ministers from the 118-member bloc started a three-day meeting on the Indonesian resort island of Baliwhich started on Tuesday to discuss reinventing the NAM’s global role as it marks its 50th anniversary.

The bloc was created in 1961 at the height of the Cold War as a solidarity movement among developing countries not aligned to either the United States or the Soviet Union.
The group will welcome Fiji and Azerbaijan as new members .

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Iran

Iran hails return of repentant MKO members

Iranian Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi said on Wednesday the country hails return of repentant individuals residing in Camp Ashraf, Iraq.

Members of the terrorist Mujahidin Khalq Organization (MKO) are now living in Camp Ashraf in Iraq.

In April, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Baghdad is determined to shut down Camp Ashraf and disband the terrorist group.

Members of the MKO fled to Iraq in 1986, where they enjoyed the support of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, and set up Camp Ashraf near the Iranian border in Diyala.

The group has carried out numerous acts of terror and violence against Iranian civilians and government officials.

The terror organization is also known to have cooperated with Saddam in suppressing the 1991 uprisings in southern Iraq and the massacre of Iraqi Kurds in the north.

Tehran has repeatedly called on the Iraqi government to expel the group, but the US has been blocking the expulsion by pressuring the Iraqi government.

"Families of these people (MKO members) come to us frequently, calling for visiting the camp and meeting with their family members to convince them return to Iran," Moslehi told reporters on the sidelines of cabinet meeting.

"As you know people living in the camp are in a specific situation (military situation). People living there do not have access to any other media except that of their selves. However we welcome return of those members willing to go back home and are feeling remorseful."

Also regarding a new computer worm which may have damaged computer systems, he said, "we have taken appropriate measures in this regard. We have given required warnings for confrontation of the virus as we managed to do regarding stuxnext."

"Americans have acknowledged that the Islamic Republic of Iran had best confronted the virus (stuxnet)," Moslehi noted.

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