The United States supports the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq’s (UNAMI) “Roadmap,” which suggests remaining steps for the closure of Camp Ashraf and builds upon the work that has produced the safe relocation of almost two-thirds of the residents from Ashraf to Camp Hurriya. We urge the leadership of Camp Ashraf and the Government of Iraq to cooperate in moving forward with this plan, ..
The UN said it has a”roadmap”to resolve a dispute between Iraq and a group of Iranian exiles, but a senior official warned that Baghdad would act if there was no resolution to the row.About 1,200 members of the People’s Mujahedeen of Iran, opposed to the regime in Tehran, have refused to move from their camp north of the Iraqi capital despite a UN-brokered accord with the government
The roadmap has been designed to address the concerns of both the residents[of camp Ashraf] and the Government of Iraq, the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said in a news release, adding that its roadmap outlines preparations to be made and a “step-by-step approach for the relocation,” which addresses issues such as water and power supply and other humanitarian needs.
Time is running out to find a sustainable situation,” Mr. Kobler said, urging the Camp Ashraf residents to cooperate with the Iraqi authorities and to relocate. He also urged Member States to offer resettlement to eligible former Ashraf residents, as “without prospect for resettlement the ongoing process runs the risk of collapsing.”..
“As Camp Hurriya is only a temporary solution, resettlement is the key to the success of this effort. There must be countries that are willing to accept Camp Ashraf residents after they obtain registered refugee status,“ says Kobler.So far, however, commitments by governments to receive Ashraf residents have been limited. Kobler has been vocal in calling on states to seriously consider taking them in.
Hundreds of members of an Iranian opposition militant group exiled [MKO/PMOI/MEK] in Iraq defied yesterday’s deadline to vacate their camp ..The MEK members who are holding out say conditions at Camp Hurriya are inhumane and refuse to be relocated. But Iraq’s government, the United Nations and the US State Department say the claims are just stalling tactics.
Time is running out to find a sustainable solution. The government’s patience is wearing thin,”said Kobler, who heads the UN mission in Iraq (UNAMI).”Recent weeks have witnessed difficulties in maintaining dialogue between UNAMI and the residents, and between the residents and the government of Iraq, reinforcing a perception that the residents lack a genuine will”to move,..
The MEK aka MKO/PMOI seems to believe it can keep control of Camp Ashraf, its longtime compound near the Iran-Iraq border, and Clinton will still be under pressure to delist the group, this official said.”What bothers all of us working for a peaceful solution is that the MEK seems to believe all they have to do is hold firm and do whatever they want. They are being encouraged in this view by some of their American supporters..
the Mojahedin Khalq organisation have reneged on its agreement under the Memorandum of Understanding to allow the remaining residents of Camp Ashraf to transfer to Camp Liberty on Wednesday. UNAMI had agreed the Iraqi deadline of July 20 for the closure of Camp Ashraf, but have been unable to negotiate with the MEK to evacuate the camp..
Ban called on the Iraqi government and residents of both camps[Liberty & Ashraf] “to continue to work together in a constructive and flexible manner in order to complete the relocation process without further delay.”He stressed the importance of residents of both camps cooperating with Iraqi authorities and stressed the U.N.’s commitment to a peaceful solution.