Dedicated to the people of Halabja who on March 16th, 1988 suffered the worst chemical attacks committed by the Iraqi regime. On that day, 5,000 innocent civilians, 75% women and children, immediately perished. This was not the only chemical attack ordered by Saddam, it was just the worst
The MEK as Saddam’s private army
Three years after evident interferences of terrorist cult of Rajavi in Iraq’s affairs- with the assistance of Baath remnants- it has now become clear that this alliance has been influential in Iraq’s unrest. Meanwhile, Iraqi elites warn about the plans of the cult of Rajavi and its supporters, who are seeking a religious and ethnic crisis in Iraq.
Hassan Al-Alavi, Iraqi researcher and elite, in an interview with Al-Hurra TV channel, pointed to the Baathists’ use of MKO and said: "Why do the sunnis, who are against Iraqi Shiites, go and ally with the Iranian MKO. This is a political war and it’s not based on religious vision or ideological principles. In this conflict, each side uses its tools to blow the other side."
Abbas Al-Yasseri, author and analyst, criticized some Sunni MPs’ use of terrorist group of Rajavi and said: "Some people use the MKO, which is a terrorist organization and is known for its role in the previous regime. This group has now central role in plotting against Iraqis and in religious differences. Some TV channels and failed newspapers help this organization. It holds conferences and interferes in Iraq’s internal affairs. What’s surprising is that some MPs take part in the conferences of this terrorist group in Brussels and Paris. One of them, who is the leader of a Parliament’s fraction, said they had common goals and principles with the MKO. I think this person is putting himself in the corner of the ring when he forgets, or pretends that he’s forgetting, that the MKO has been designated by the EU and many other countries of the world as a terrorist group. In this way, he is making alliance with terrorists…."
Also, Sheikh Sabah Al-Saedi, Member of Parliament from Coalition List asked for the removal of Mohammed Dayinee’s immunity. Saedi said: "Following Dayinee’s comments and his support for armed group, a number of MPs have asked the parliament to review this proposal. These comments and his position will lead to terrorism investigation."
The revelations on extremists who use the MKO as a leverage has increased to the point that news wires announced that coalition forces have asked international police to arrest Mashan Jaboori. "Coalition forces issues arrest warrant for him, citing his TV channel’s support for terrorist groups".*
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* All reports quoted from IranLiberty website
Irandidban – 2007/02/17
What forced me to write this were the cries of Adnan, Al-Alyan and Alaani for the MKO in Brussels.
First, this double behavior these people are following will have nothing except destruction of Iraq and Iraqis, including Shiites and Sunnis, and only helps their personal interests. As everyone knows, the MKO is an Iranian organization and besides, it has been categorized as a terrorist group. Now, what’s the mystery of relations of Adnan, Al-Alyan, Zafer and Al-Zari with this organization that they cry for it and claim of Iran’s interference in Iraq through Shiite militia? Why do they claim that Shiites are Safawis not Iraqis? Why do they cry for the elements of MKO while they’re in fact very Safawis in Iraq?
Is there anything except the fact that these remnants want to destroy Iraq with every possible means? They would do it even if they have to sell Iraq and Iraqis with the cheapest price and set fire to the public in order to revenge for their former master. These people tried to sell Iraq in their deals with Israelis, the US and some neighboring countries. Their last card could be the MKO. This would be their losing card not winning card but they consider it a boost to their sick bodies.
What’s the reason for these people, who are of Iraqi Sunnis, to cry for the MKO. This group includes people who plot for killing and beheading Iraqis.
Our government should always be vigilant about the dangers of MKO criminals, who were used by Saddam Hussein in killing our Kurd brothers during 1991 uprising. These traitors were armed to the teeth, used modern weapons, had enough experience to run the war, agents of Estekhbarat monitored their training and their weapons and their ties with the former regime was complex and strong; I’m sure that they already have cooperation with terrorist groups in Iraq. They’re being supported by the people who call themselves”the enemies of Safawis”.
This group should be dealt with cautiously. It should be noted that if their weapons were transferred to terrorists like Dulaimi and Zari, a disaster would happen to Iraq and Shiites in particular.
Nabil Al-Basari/Sautaliraq,
Prosecutor general: Case on Saddam’s crimes against Iran open
Prosecutor General Ghorban-Ali Dorri Najafabadi on Thursday said that dossier concerning Saddam Hossein’s atrocities against Iranians is still open and should be investigated.
He told IRNA that the file includes two aspects: one involves all individuals who committed or advocated crimes such as Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) and another includes the losses that Iranians suffered during the eight-year imposed war.
"The UN has put the amount of losses inflicted on Iran at more than dlrs 100 billion, while Iran has estimated them at dlrs 1,000 billion," he added.
The provisions of the Resolution 598 should be implemented by the Iraqi government, he noted.
Pointing out that the goal behind lodging Iran’s complaint before Saddam’s trial was to following up the Iranian nation’s rights, he said Tehran did not have any hope to witness the hearing of Saddam’s crimes against Iranians from the beginning of the court.
Elsewhere in his remarks, he referred to the efforts made by the judiciary and government to create 800,000-1,000,000 new jobs annually nationwide.
Attending Semnan province’ administrative council session, he underlined that people’s massive presence in the Bahman 22 rallies (marking the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran on February 11) will show the power of the Islamic system, and make its enemies disappointed.
Touching on the critical condition of the region, he expressed hope that stronger presence of people in the event will send a clear message to the West, particularly the US to recognize Iran’s legitimate right to access peaceful nuclear technology.
He also recommended all countries involved in Iran’s nuclear case to resume negotiations and avoid setting any precondition in this respect.
Referring to the US warmongering policy in the region, he called on the American people to prevent their leaders from continuing their bullying policies worldwide
Feb 1, IRNA
The court of former Iraqi regime’s crimes, now being held without the presence of Saddam Hussein, exposes important issues one of which is the decision of former Iraqi dictator to exterminate the Kurds with all possible means.
In the court, it was revealed that the order for massacring the Kurds by chemical weapons was issued personally by Saddam Hussein and suggested by Ali Hassan Al-Majid and consequently criminal officials of former regime committed the crimes in Halabja.
Meanwhile, what are very important are Chemical Ali’s comments on using the MKO for pursuing and targeting the Kurds (even inside Iran).
Earlier also, with the exposure of Rajavi’s secret talks with then the head of Iraqi Intelligence Service lieutenant general Taher, in which MKO forces’ participation in killing the Kurds was praised on behalf of Saddam, the role of the group in massacring the Kurds had been revealed.
In addition to the issue of MKO’s role in killing the Kurds- which has been proved with a lot of documents- what’s new in Chemical Ali’s comments and reveals new facts on MKO-Saddam ties, is the reality that this group acted as a private army for Saddam Hussein and that Iraqi officials considered the roles of the MKO when planning.
In this regard, Chemical Ali clarifies that MKO forces were tasked with pursuing and targeting the Kurds inside Iran.
The new government of Iraq and those in charge of holding the court should expose more of documents on cooperation between the MKO and Saddam Hussein in order to illuminate the public opinion and prevent distortion of historical facts by the leaders of the group.
By clarifying the dimensions of such crimes the efforts of MKO leaders to seek refuge in Iraq will fail and the main reasons of their presence in the country will be determined.
On Jan. 23, 2007, CNN Arabic reported from Baghdad on the details of the 35th session of Anfal Court, which clearly points to the fact that Ali Hassan Al-Majid ordered MKO members to pursue and target Kurds inside Iran.
The report is as follows:
"35th session of Anfal Court was held in Iraq and it’s the second session without the presence of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, hanged on December 30.
In the previous session, prosecutor provided the court with audio tapes of talks between Saddam and Hassan Al-Majid, in which the orders were issued on using chemical weapons against the Kurds.
In the 35th session, new documents were presented on the accusations and the roles of former Iraqi president’s allies in attacking the Kurds in 1988 were identified.
What follows is part of the details of the session quoted by Iraqi TV:
– Prosecutor provided the court with a new audio tape in which Ali Hassan Al-majid talks about chemical weapons against the Kurds and promises to impose more restrictions on them, including the ban on speaking Kurdish.
– Another audio tape revealed that Hassan Al-Majid was planning a new scenario, including chemical attacks on the Kurds, gathering them in specified locations and then targeting them with chemical weapons.
– Prosecutor states that in a part of the tape, Al-Majid asks for pursuing the Kurds by special teams and also targeting them inside Iran by Mojahedin-e Khalq. The tape was not played.
CNN Arabic, 23 January 2007
Following Saddam’s execution, the MKO-run media have mainly focused on tendentious reports that reprove the dictator’s hanging. The group’s move on such a suspicious line implies that Mojahedin attempt to exculpate Saddam of his myriad crimes to compel a mentality to identify him as a national hero. They have resolved to walk on the line of the opponents to Saddam’s execution, each impelled by different motives, in an attempt to win their support to accomplish their own ends, as they did when the master was in power. No doubt, Mojahedin’s present approach has its own strategic importance but it should be noted that the reach of their siding with Saddam’s supporters lies beyond the scope of the conventional dealings which require much deeper study.
Mojahedin’s silence over Saddam and the Baath Party through the past three years for itself speaks an unspoken truth. Notably, before Saddam’s fall, the two, Saddam and Rajavi, were each other’s sole recognized supporter. Mojahedin, enjoying a strategic position in the region and hardly turning to their Western lobbies, anticipated a promising future settled on Iraq-Iran borders to play their decisive role to overthrow the Islamic regime. Although they were aware that their dream was not to be fulfilled so soon and easily as they portended, at least they could continue to survive in Iraq and keep the members waiting mesmerizing them with murmurs of an imminent victory.
Once in his meeting with Saber al-Duri, who was in charge of the Iraqi security system, Massoud Rajavi stressed that the group’s settlement in Iraq was not a temporary but a long-lasting stay:
Tell him [Saddam] on my behalf; we were and are and will remain at your home as long as possibly we can. [1]
Regardless of their sharing of strategic interests, Rajavi and Saddam’s tie was rooted in a mutual historical and ideological understanding. A passing look over Rajavi and Saber al-Duri’s interlocution reveals the kernel points that ties one to the other. In many parts, Rajavi’s references are an analyzed synthesis of Mojahedin’s ideology with that of Baath Party:
– Our bloods are intermingled.
– The tie between we and you, be it either the government or the Baath Party whose leader and symbol is Mr. President, is not merely a political tie. It is an absolute brotherhood.
– Anything that is against you is against us as well and vise aersa.
– Our security and the strikes we receive are the same.
– Our progresses are also the same.
– Neither in my mind nor in my heart can I distinguish between our collective interests and losses.
– Our interests are closely associated.
– Our principles have got us together to be side by side in a front. [2]
The Iraq now turned into a country vulnerable to fluctuations with Mojahedin’s facing stalemate indicates that Rajavi was well aware of the grave consequences of Saddam’s fall and its aftermath effects on MKO. Thus, sensing his unquestioning liquidation, Mojahedin took a different turn to tie a destiny with Iraqi people at least to secure their stay in Iraq. In a sudden shift, they tried to establish the same conduct paradigm with Iraqi people, this time chanting slogans of democracy rather than brotherhood. Interestingly, knowingly or unknowingly, Mojahedin somehow consider Saddam and the Baath Party, compared with the present government in power, more democrat and patriot. Sediqeh Husseini, a ranking member of MKO, in a speech made at Camp Ashraf stated that:
Talking of democracy and a democratic Iraq, a key parameter is this same conduct with Mojahedin. [3]
She further stressed her claim in a message sent to Dayali Province Sheikhs but with a different tone:
Thus, we appraise the degree of patriotism and popularity of any movement according to the scale of opposition to interferences and, consequently, friendship with and respect for Mojahedin. [4]
It is easy to have a sound judgment on Iraq’s past situation and Saddam himself. Mojahedin’s contradictory position after the dictator’s execution and indirect expression of sympathy on his death with pro-Saddam factions that appreciate him as a hero helps a good deal to have a just analysis of Mojahedin on condition the fog of doubt has not completely evaporated. If the establishment of democracy in Iraq, as Mojahedin define, reconciles with their stay in Iraq, then, on account of Saddam’s granting them the bliss of settlement in Iraq, Saddam can be identified as the most democratic person. Consequently, not only the Baath Party represented democracy but also, compared with the current government, occupied a much higher platform of democracy. Mojahedin’s proximity to Saddam in behalf of the mentioned factors on the one hand, and their proposed criterion of democracy on the other hand are actually two sides of a coin that Mojahedin, under the vicissitude of fortune, avail themselves of it only with a little change of tone and literature.
Notes
[1]. To be judged by the history.
[2]. Ibid.
[3]. Sediqeh Husseini’s speech made at Camp Ashraf on the anniversary of Iran’s century long Constitutional Revolution.
[4]. MKO’s message to Dayali Province Sheikhs
Bahar Irani – January 10, 2007
MEK’S solidarity with a fallen dictator who is a role model for ” Rajavi”
MEK sympathy for Saddam’s death
The execution of dictator of Iraq was greatly welcomed by the majority of the people in the Middle East, particularly by Iraqis, Kurds and Shia and some Sunnis such as Turkmen that had suffered mostly under the Saddam’ Regime.
There was joy among Iranians and Kuwaitis whose countries were destroyed by Saddam when he attacked Iran in 1980 and Invaded Kuwait in 1991.
Overall most people around the world believed that Saddam Hussein was a notorious, bloodthirsty, tyrant and thug and a cruel dictator like Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot who had to stand before an international war tribunal for his crimes against humanity and war crimes.
There is some disappointment by the execution due to the opposition to the capital punishment in general.
Saddam killed thousands of Iraqis, Sunnis and Shias. Saddam’s time was full of cruelty, suppression and massacre of Kurds such as town of “Halabche” by Chemical gas which killed 5000 civilians instantly. Saddam closed his eyes on his sons who were systematically raping women, killing opponents as a hobby and controlling the funds coming from Oil for food program by the U.N.
There are small portion of Sunnis in Iraq and Palestinian (due to the false support of Palestine) Saddam was an Arab nationalist who believed he was ” Salahedin” and would capture Jerusalem. His wrong strategy resulted in the strong presence of U.S. forces in the region under the plan of new Middle East and Democracy for the region.
Also, there is a group of Iranian so-called opposition called MEK (Mojahedin-e khalgh) who are extremely upset by the death of Saddam because Saddam was the main financial and arms supplier of the group. Saddam allocated millions of dollars in funds and military equipment and provided training camps such as Ashraf for the group who moved to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war in 1986. MEK associated with Saddam intelligence services to collect information on Islamic Republic of Iran (I.R.I.) military and economical sites during the war. Also, MEK promoted the terror campaign against I.R.I. from the bases inside Iraq that increased the cycle of violence and bloodshed in Iran.
MEK succeeded in gaining some support in Washington by lobbying US Congress. The lobby was not successful if there was any financial support by Saddam Hussein as it is indicated by US State Department report on MEK when it was listed as a terrorist organization.
MEK’s media sites banned any news on Saddam since his capture in 2003. Just 2 days after death of Saddam, they finally broadcast the news.
For the first time in three years the NCRI, the political cover group of MEK made a short announcement in Persian condemning Saddam’s execution and called it in favor of the regime of Iran. They also claimed that Saddam should have been handed over to his people for final decision.
The MEK, alongside pro Saddam Iraqis, is challenging the legitimacy of the Iraqi Government which has been elected in a free election. They have forgotten if Saddam was handed over to Iraqi’s then he would be cut in pieces because of the hate and pain people had suffered under his regime.
Saddam’s execution and trial procedure was not ideal but it was just for a butcher who did not let many of his people to stand before a court since they were slaughtered in the prisons. Saddam’s execution was not perfect but it was a gift for Saddam because in Iraq hundreds are dead daily by explosion, and under torture.
Saddam’s execution was a gift for a dictator whose life was based on ruining lives of hundreds of human begins in Iraq and neighboring countries.
If Saddam was never lived, the world was a better and safer and more peaceful place to live. Now, Saddam’s death opens the door for a new era in Iraq since pro Saddamists are losing their hope for the return to power. Saddam thought the US would bring him back to power.
Are Rajavi and MEK realizing the situation? The game has changed and they have lost the game.
MEK politically is dead and has no legitimacy or support among Iranians inside and abroad. Are they smart enough to understand that US are not betting on losing horses? The past proves the answer is ‘no’.
Massoud Rajavi vanished since March 2003. There is unconfirmed information that he is in the custody of Israel and US in the region. (Jordan or Qatar).
MEK are at the weakest point after Saddam because they have to face the consequence of collaboration with Saddam. Also, to answer to Iranians for their crime against humanity, and promoting violence alongside the I.R.I. and committing violation of human rights among the members that cost lives of some dissidents.
Pars Iran, January 4, 2007
Iranians’ complaints against Saddam Hossein and his international accomplices for the atrocities they committed, will be compiled, head of the Sacred Defence Foundation said on Wednesday.
Mir Faisal Baqerzadeh told IRNA that the foundation has planned to forward the attorney general’s letter including documents of Saddam regime’s crimes against Iranians to Iraqi Supreme Court.
He expressed hope that in the current situation when the US avoided hearing other crimes of Saddam regime such as imposing eight-year war on Iran (1980-1988), releasing the documents will pave the way to reveal crimes of Saddam and its international supporters, the US, against Iranians.
Documents related to chemical attack against Iranian nation, bombing educational and medical centers, destroying environment as well as mistreatment and execution of Iranian prisoners of war (PoWs) will include the complaint.
Baqerzadeh also referred to the documents of allocating military equipment to the terrorist Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) by Baath regime, the reports of the UN envoys on the losses induced via the imposed war against Iran, and the list of Iraq’s air attacks against Iranian cities as well as the public complaints as other facts will be released in the future.
IRNA, Jan 3
Witnessing the last moments of a man’s life is never a pleasant sight, even if it involves a man like Saddam Hussein.
After a year long trial, Saddam Hussein, the former dictator of Iraq was hanged on the 30th of December 2006, as we all know by now. The verdict, however flawed is still considered as unprecedented in the greater Middle East. The trial and the following execution were largely due to the American presence in Iraq. It’s reasonable to believe that had Saddam Hussein been under the care of the Iraqis from the get go; he would have met his fate much sooner.
As to the reason for deciding to trial Saddam for the crimes he committed in the town of Dujail, is a matter of discussion. During his reign in power he committed hundreds of such atrocities, some of them involving more victims than the city of Dujail.
If the courts where to examine the 8 year Iran – Iraq war, the attack on Kuwait in 1990 or the killing of 5000 Kurds in the town of halabche in 1988, there would also had to be fingers pointed in the direction of Arab leaders and most western governments.
From the time the American government decided to use Saddam Hussein as a leverage in controlling Iran’s power after the revolution of 1979, the funding of these policies has always been taken care of by wealthy Arab Countries (such as Kuwait who during the Iran-Iraq war was an active supporter of Saddam Hussein but later found itself in the receiving end of Saddam’s chokehold).
The west also provided Iraq with intelligence and weapons.
But it was the people of Iran, Iraq and Kuwait who ultimately bur the brunt of this theater directed by the west and produced by the Arabs.
Saddam Hussein was in power for more then 30 years and during his time he was responsible for killing more than 1 million Iraqi shi’as and over 300 000 Sunnis. In the 8 year war against Iran, the Iranians suffered more then 1 million in causalities, injured and countless of people displaced.
120 000 Iranian soldiers fell during the war, some of them from chemical attacks by the Iraqis. Even after 17 years after the war ended thousands more are still suffering from the effects of exposure to chemical weapons.
Saddam acquired those weapons of mass destruction through companies in France, Germany and the Netherlands. The technology and the know-how in building these weapons were given by the west approval.
Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator who got rid of each and every one of his opponents with no sense of remorse or mercy. After the downfall of Saddam, tens of mass graves have been discovered around Iraq, where hundreds of Iraqi have been buried after apparent mass executions.
In 1991, he ordered the shelling of the holy city of Karbala, (a predominately shi’a city and considered by many muslims around the world as a holy place) and conducted direct attacks on the holy mosque of Imam Hussein, as a reprisal against the shi’a uprising.
Under his power, the sunni minority had but all of the power but now find it very difficult to lose that control. This is one of the most important reasons for the insurgency and resistance among sunni Iraqis against the current government led by the majority shi’a and sunni kurds.
A part of the Iraqi Sunnis and other Arab block, are eager to make a martyr out of Saddam Hussein by using the flawed execution of Saddam.
The Mojahedin-e Khalq of Iran, a terrorist organization based in Iraq has also sided with the ba’thist party who regard in presenting Saddam Hussein as an Arab martyr and a hero.
His death symbolizes the end of an era of both his reign and the ba’thist party. It is now up to the sunnis to decide whether they would like to use their fair share of power in the newly established government or to continue the futile resistance against the will of the majority of Iraqis.
Former ba’thist, Al-Qaeda and Mojahedin-e Khalq of Iran are the ones who benefit most from a chaotic and violent Iraq. Order and progress is not in the interest of neither of these groups.
As far as the Iranian neighbor is concerned it seems probable that the Iranians share a common goal with the Iraqi government in a stable and calm Iraq.
There is now a government in power in Iraq, whose leaders have in the past either spent years in exile in Iran or have close connections with the Iranian government. What purpose would the Iranian have in fighting and undermining a government who share most its own goals and visions.
The real perpetrators in the meddling and undermining of the current government of Iraq can be found in the western borders of Iraq in countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
A fear in shi’a stronghold in the region is what is motivating these countries to support and fund the ongoing conflict and sectarian divide.
Those are the true enemies of Iraq and the Iraqi people.
Karim Haghi
09.01.2007