News on the MEK

Iraq to transfer Iranian dissident group to Baghdad

Iraq to transfer Iranian dissident group to Baghdad Iraq will move exiled Iranian dissidents based at a camp close to the border between the two countries to Baghdad, a government spokesman said on Thursday.

"We will move residents of Camp Ashraf to buildings in Baghdad on Tuesday," he said, without giving details.

The members of the People’s Mujahedeen have lived at Camp Ashraf, a refugee base in Diyala province north of the Iraqi capital, for more than 20 years.

Iraqi security forces launched an operation to take over the camp in July.

The group was founded in 1965 in opposition to the shah of Iran and subsequently fought the clerical regime that ousted him in the 1979 Islamic revolution.

About 3,500 Mujahedeen and their families have lived in Ashraf since former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein allowed the Iranian opposition to set up bases on his territory during his 1980-88 war with Tehran.

Following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, American forces disarmed the Mujahedeen in Ashraf and placed the residents under protection.

Iraq’s increasingly independent government has moved to take charge of the site.

December 12, 2009 0 comments

Iraqi Authorities' stance on the MEK

Al Rubaie: MKO members will be expelled

al Rubaie: Baath, al Qaeda want to show Iran as enemy

Former Iraqi National Security Advisor Muwaffaq al Rubaie said the former Iraqi Baath ruling party and al Qaeda want to show Iran as enemy to find justification for their activities.

Al Qaeda and Baath party have always sought to make Iraq unstable and draw attention away from the fact that they are responsible for terrorist activities and killings in Iraq, he told ISNA.

“Baath party and al Qaeda are trying to show Iran as enemy of Iraq, in line with policies of Baath party, to have a justification regarding their measures in Iraq, Iran and Kuwait.”

Also regarding the issue of Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) terrorist group, he said Iraq still insists that members of the group should not stay in Iraqi territory and they need to be expelled based on determined standards.

Iraq wants the members of the group to be either returned to a third country without use of force or to Iran, he added.

Elsewhere, regarding Iraq-Iran borders, he said the borders are secure.

December 8, 2009 0 comments

Mujahedin Khalq; A proxy force

Kari Vogt criticized the Norwegian MPs invitation to Maryam Rajavi

The well known Norwegian Religious historian and Middle East expert Kari Vogt criticized the Norwegian MPs invitation to Maryam Rajavi, the leader of MKO terrorist group.

Although the U.S. has put MKO on its terrorist list, they make use of the organization. Kari Vogt explains the issue:

First, it operates as US intelligence service in Iran what people of that type can do the best.
Secondly, MKO’s military capacity, which the Americans can take advantage of, and give them free passage.

Since the United States disarmed MKO after they occupied Iraq they have obviously invested a great deal, "says Vogt.

In the debate on Saturday she warned not to support the People’s Mujahedin. She said they have no credibility as champions of democracy and human rights, because they are an organization in exile, who are considered traitors among democracy advocates in their home country.

December 7, 2009 0 comments

Iraqi Authorities' stance on the MEK

Spanish court judgment about MKO should be local

Spanish court support for Saddamists not legal

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: Any court judgment in any country regarding an issue related to another country requires the second country’s approval for execution, a Kurdish lawmaker said commenting on a judgment issued by a Spanish court with respect to the operatives of the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MKO) exiled in Iraq.

“Executing the judgment requires an approval from the Iraqi side,” Ahmed Anwar, a member of the Iraqi parliament legal committee, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency on Monday.

He said that the judgment, which considered the MKO elements in Iraq under the Genève Convention, is a moral support only.

“The court is not international, and I question whether the Spanish government would adopt this issue from the legal and political standpoints,” Anwar said.

He said that the Iraqi government refuses to grant asylum to MKO operatives in Iraq.

“There are Iraqi-U.S. discussions with respect to the MKO issue,” Anwar said.

The MKO operatives in Iraq, hosted in Ashraf Camp in Diala province, oppose the current Iranian regime, and have been in Iraqi since the 1980s.

December 2, 2009 0 comments

Iraq

Maliki: No place for the Mojahedin Khalq in Iraq

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said he "no place for the MKO in Iraq."

According to a statement issued by Maliki’s office: "The Prime Minister today received the new President of the International Red Cross mission in Iraq McKenna Bart."

The statement quoted Maliki as saying:

"Our demand is fair, we do not force them to return to Iran and do not allow them to stay permanently in Camp Ashraf. There is no place for them in Iraq after the crimes they have committed against the Iraqi people by exercising their terrorism and because of their cooperation with the Baathists and their interference in Iraq’s domestic affairs."

On the issue of missing Kuwaitis, Maliki said: "The issue of missing Kuwaitis is humanitarian and not political, and we are fully prepared to cooperate with our brothers in Kuwait."

He continued: "We confirmed our commitment to cooperate on missing Kuwaiti property and money in letters previously to the United Nations and the Government of Kuwait, and seek to end this humanitarian issue, and seek to protect the integrity of the remains of any missing Kuwaitis."
He added: "Iraq has overcome many difficulties during the past two years, and [we see] the development and improvement on what the security situation was before."

For his part, according to the statement, the head of the Red Cross praised the developments witnessed by Iraq and Iraq’s commitment to resolving the issue of missing Kuwaitis, referring to the adoption of the International Committee of Red Cross’ joint efforts with the Iraqi government and its cooperation in this respect.

November 24, 2009 0 comments

The MEK Expulsion from Iraq

Iraq Pursuing Policy on Expulsion of MKO Members

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iran’s ambassador to Iraq on Saturday announced that the Baghdad government is seriously pursuing its policy on the expulsion of the anti-Iran terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) from the country. Iran's ambassador to Iraq on Saturday announced that the Baghdad government is seriously pursuing its policy on the expulsion of MKO

"Based on our information, the government of Iraq is preparing preliminary measures for transferring the group’s members from Camp Ashraf to Samawah Province (Southeast of Baghdad)," Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Kazzemi Qomi told FNA.

"That is the Iraqi government’s decision and oppositions in this regard will not influence Baghdad’s decision," he reiterated.

The MKO has been in Iraq’s Diyala province since the 1980s. The Iraqi government and parliament have announced that they would not tolerate the group anymore and that they are seeking to expel the group from the country in the near future.

Following the decision, Iraqi security forces took control of the training base of the MKO at Camp Ashraf – about 60km (37 miles) north of Baghdad – in July and detained dozens of the members of the terrorist group.

The Iraqi authority then changed the name of the military center from Camp Ashraf to the Camp of New Iraq.

The anti-Iran terror group has been blacklisted as a terrorist organization by many international entities and countries.

The MKO is behind a slew of assassinations and bombings inside Iran, a number of EU parliamentarians said in a recent letter in which they slammed a British court decision to remove the MKO from the British terror list. The EU officials also added that the group has no public support within Iran because of their role in helping Saddam Hussein in the Iraqi imposed war on Iran (1980-1988).

Many of the MKO members abandoned the terrorist organization while most of those still remaining in the camp are said to be willing to quit but are under pressure and torture not to do so.

A May 2005 Human Rights Watch report accused the MKO of running prison camps in Iraq and committing human rights violations.

According to the Human Rights Watch report, the outlawed group puts defectors under torture and jail terms.

The group started assassination of the citizens and officials after the Islamic Revolution in Iran in a bid to take control of the newly established Islamic Republic. It killed several of Iran’s new leaders in the early years after the Revolution, including the then President Mohammad Ali Rajayee, Prime Minister Mohammad Javad Bahonar and Judiciary Chief Mohammad Hossein Beheshti who were killed in bomb attacks by MKO members in 1981.

The group fled to Iraq in 1986, where it was protected by Saddam Hussein and where it helped the Iraqi dictator suppress Shiite and Kurd uprisings in the country.

The terrorist group joined Saddam’s army during the Iraqi imposed war on Iran (1980-1988) and helped Saddam and killed thousands of Iranian civilians and soldiers during the US-backed Iraqi imposed war on Iran.

The MKO was put on the US terror list in 1997 by the then President, Bill Clinton, but since the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, the group has been strongly backed by the Washington Neocons, who also argue for the MKO to be taken off the US terror list.

November 22, 2009 0 comments

Iraqi Authorities' stance on the MEK

Maysan Council refuses to take PMOI base in the province

President of the Maysan province said on Thursday, the local government refuses to take the PMOI base in the province, that its presence on Iraqi territory is illegal.

Abdul Hussain Abdul Rida Saadi told a news conference, attended by an Aswat al-Iraq reporter, Mujahedin Khalq organization had a major role in suppressing the popular uprising that began in some areas of Iraq, including the province of Maysan that the local government in Maysan "rejects any presence of the PMOI on its territory due to the fact that its presence in Iraq is illegitimate," adding that the decision "taken by the Council, after receiving information that that the province of Maysan is a candidate among the three areas in Iraq to embrace the organization."

He pointed out that "the organization had a major role in suppressing the popular uprising that began in some areas of Iraq, including the province of Maysan," adding that "they had killed many people of the province during the popular uprising."

Moreover, a member of the security committee of the Board of Maysan, Maytham, told Aswat al-Iraq that "the presence of the MKO on the territory of Iraq is a violation of the constitution as a terrorist organization," indicating that the group "had a role in putting down the popular uprising in 1991 and killing of large number of rebels who were expressing their rejection of the policies of the former regime."

He pointed out that "There are documents and documentary tapes which stress that the organization carried out terrorist acts against people of the province and in coordination with the previous security which was aimed at the elimination of rebellion."

He stressed, "We as a local government, call for the expulsion of the organization from all Iraqi territory due to the fact that their presence is illegal and therefore contact with foreign countries should facilitate the deportation process."

The town of Amara, Maysan province, 390 kilometers south of Baghdad.

translated by Iran-Interlink

November 22, 2009 0 comments

Iraqi Authorities' stance on the MEK

Muthanna provincial council refused the transfer of Camp Ashraf to Samawah

Muthanna provincial council refused a government request for the transfer of Camp Ashraf to Samawah

Samawah: The Muthanna provincial council has refused a government request to transfer [the Muthanna provincial council refused a government request for the transfer of Camp Ashraf to Samawah residents of] Camp Ashraf to the province of Muthanna, noting that they are known as the "hypocrites organisation" who have committed crimes against the Iraqi people and that they will disturb the security of the province.

A source in the provincial council, told our news reporter that "a request from a government committee came to the province for the transportation of Camp Ashraf to the province." Adding that, "the unequivocal request was turned down by the Department to maintain compliance with its Council and the Mayor when he told the President of the Council that "the hypocrites organisation" committed crimes against the Iraqi people and contributed actively to and were substantially involved in the suppression of the popular uprisings of 1991 in the south and north."

The source, who declined to be named, said: "The rejection of the Commission’s request matched the view that the" hypocrites organisation" will be a heavy burden on the people of this province which is peaceful and quiet." He added that "the existence of Camp Ashraf, especially in the countryside of Samawah would present major threats to its security and destabilize the province".

Akhbar News, Iraq

November 18, 2009 0 comments

MEK Camp Ashraf

Possible transfer of Ashraf residents to a camp near Samawah

Government Commission investigates possible transfer of Ashraf residents to a camp near Samawah

Muthanna / Aswat al-Iraq: The official source of Muthanna province said a government delegation arrived in the city of Samawah on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of transferring the population Government Commission investigates possible transfer of Ashraf residents to a camp near Samawah of Camp Ashraf to a camp near the town of Samawah, indicating that the proposal has been categorically rejected by the Governor and provincial Council.

The source told Aswat al-Iraq that the government "arrived at the city of Samawah on Tuesday morning and discussed with the Governor of Muthanna and a number of local officials the possibility of the transfer of Camp Ashraf residents (MKO) to the Iraqi military camp west of Samawah, established by Japanese troops." He pointed out that "the proposal has been categorically rejected by county officials."

The Japanese Self-Defence Forces had established a camp at the end of 2004 and used it as its headquarters until its withdrawal from Iraq in July 2007 when Japanese troops handed the camp over to an Iraqi army brigade deployed in the province.

The source explained that "the Governor and provincial Council refusal is linked to the idea that Al Muthanna province will be a safe haven for the group. It will reflect negatively on the security reality and sabotage the security of the region."

The Iraqi government took the decision at a meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 17, 2008, as the endemic presence of the MKO on Iraqi territory is illegal and it must leave Iraq. Iran is also opposed to the continuation of Ashraf camp site (renamed Camp New Iraq) in Khalis (15 km north of Baquba.

The source, who asked not to be named, told Aswat al-Iraq that the Commission "has, this morning, visited the camp to study the site and identify the areas of possibility for the new headquarters for the residents of Camp Ashraf”. He alluded to the fact that the Commission "found that the camp mentioned is not suitable accommodation for residents of Camp Ashraf and lacks a lot of facilities”.

"Another option for the Committee is a camp taken by American forces based near Diwaniyah, but not cleared until several months ago, according to the proposal by the Commission”.

The transfer of MEK to the province of Muthanna, "an old idea dating back to 2008, was completed in a manner allowing the authorities to reject the proposal." He pointed out that the option for the transfer of that group to the camps in the province of Muthanna and Diwaniya, "is still in the process of proposals and is not yet a decision of the government of Iraq”.

It is noteworthy that on July 28, 2009 Iraqi security forces had entered Camp Ashraf in Diyala province to take control of it, which led to clashes which killed seven and injured 400 other residents of the camp, as well as two people killed and 60 wounded members of the Iraqi security forces.

The People’s Mojahedin Organization, opposed to the Iranian government, took Camp Ashraf in Diyala province (north-east of Baghdad) as their headquarters after the transfer of the MKO leadership to Iraq in 1985, where they were received in a timely manner under the auspices of the former regime and from where it has launched attacks in Iran.

After the American intervention in Iraq in 2003, its members remained at their base at Camp Ashraf, which was placed under protection of the U.S. Army Corps, although classified as a terrorist organization. After signing the security agreement [SOFA] between Iraq and the United States late last year, the Iraqi government took responsibility for Camp Ashraf while U.S. forces remained at the camp, and then withdraw from it in accordance with the timing of the Convention.

The town of Samawah, capital of Muthanna province, lies 280 km south of Baghdad.

Aswat al Iraq, Baghdad – translated by Iran-Interlink

November 17, 2009 0 comments

Iraq

Iraq firm on extraditing MKO ringleaders to Iran

BAGHDAD – Tehran’s chief diplomat in Baghdad has said that Iraq is serious about handing over MKO ringleaders to Iran.
Hassan Qazemi Qom ,Tehran’s chief diplomat in Baghdad
Hassan Qazemi Qom told the Mehr News Agency that the Iraqi government is determined to expel the MKO group and it has already taken steps in this regard.

According to Iraqi resources about 3,400 MKO members are held at Camp Ashraf in Diyala province near the border with Iran.

Qazemi Qomi said since the Iraqi people are worried about the behavior of this group in their country and the Iraqi government has put the expulsion of the group on its agenda.

“In recent months a number of hypocrite members have left Iraq and certain have returned to Iran,” the ambassador noted. “We expect the Iraqi government to expedite its efforts in expelling the hypocrites.”

Mojahedin Khalq Organization are referred to as hypocrites in Iran.

The MKO began a campaign of assassinations and bombings in Iran shortly after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The group moved to Iraq in the early 1980s and fought Iran from there until the United States invaded the country in March 2003.

The group was also involved in the suppression of the Iraqi people during Saddam Hussein’s rule.

Extradition of criminals

The envoy said during the Iranian parliamentary delegation’s visit to Iraq a number of lawmakers sitting on the Majlis Legal Committee exchanged views with the Iraqi side on signing a deal on extraditing criminals.

Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani made a five-day tour of Iraq at the head of a parliamentary delegation from November 4 to 8.

November 15, 2009 0 comments

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