Richard Lee Armitage, deputy secretary of state during George W. Bush’s first term, announced that America was supposed to treat MKO as a part of Saddam’s army and this was among the considered issues in the discussions which led to the occupation; the fact which wasn’t exactly what happened after the war.
Richard Armitage, US former deputy Secretary of State in an interview with PBS TV Channel, criticizing the dual policies of US with regard to the Issue of terrorism said:” During US invasion to Iraq, there were some in the administration, who wanted to use the Mujahideen-e Khalq as a pressure point against Iran, and I can remember the national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, being very specific about it, saying no, a terrorist group is a terrorist group.
Mr. Armitage added:” this organization was supposed to be removed from Iraq and be transferred to other countries after the end of Iraq War but up to now the US has been the main obstacle toward the actualization of this plan.
In response to a question on the nature of Mujahedin Khalq Organization, Armitage said:” Mujahedin Khalq is a terrorist organization and the American nation should not forget that the elements of this organization assassinated many Americans during Iran’s preceding regime.