IRNA

Former members: Terrorist MKO Facing a Standoff

Tehran, July 25, IRNA – Two former members of the terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq Organisation (MKO), Ebrahim Khodabandeh and Jamil Bassam, said that the organisation has reached the dead-end, and the countdown has started for its decline.

Khodabandeh and Bassam, both 54, became members of the MKO in 1983 and quit the terrorist organisation four years ago.

Talking to IRNA, they uncovered issues about the terrorist group which are "interesting and surprising".

MKO, SILENT ON STATEMENT OF US STATE DEPARTMENT

The interview with the two former MKO members started with the…circumstances "surrounding an accident". The question was: "Why the terrorist MKO has remained silent vis-a-vis the annual statement of the US State Department, after more than two months."

Khodabandeh, who was active at the MKO international relations section for some 20 years, said that the main reason behind this silence was that the statement refers to the MKO as a "Cult of Personality".

He believes that this title, as well as keeping the MKO in the list of "Proscribed Terrorist Groups" by the European Union which recently has been announced, would internationally weaken the position of the organisation.

Although the US State Department has put the MKO in the list of the International Terrorist Groups since 1984, it has underlined the organisation being a "cult" this year.

Khodabandeh, who has made broad studies on cultic organisations and cult leaders, said that according to definitions presented by psychiatrists and sociologists around the world, cultic organisations are those whose members are under mental coercion and mind indoctrination.

According to the law in European countries, unauthorized imposing of systematic manipulation on individuals is an offence which is subject to legal prosecution, he added.

Based on definitions, those who are under thought reform processes in such cults would carry out tasks on the demand of the cult leader they would have never done in normal life and natural situations, he noted.

Meanwhile Jamil Bassam, who was active in the MKO publications section in several European countries for years, outlined another important issue.

According to him, after the MKO was put on the list of terrorist groups by the US State Department as well as the EU, the organisation made great efforts, through American and European Courts, to be dropped from the list.

Regarding the issue, Bassam believes that the US State Department has adopted a "tougher" position on MKO by classifying it a cult as well as putting it in the list of terrorist organisations.

The US State department has come to such conclusion by receiving information from the massive number of former members of the organisation both in Iraq and in other countries, he added.

The statement has reiterated that the MKO, in addition to its terrorist record, has displayed cultic characteristics, too.

The State Department Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism on April 30 released the list of designated terrorist organizations. Once again Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) continues to occupy the status it has been designated since 1997.

This statement quotes: "In addition to its terrorist credentials, the MEK (MKO) has also displayed cult-like characteristics.

Upon entry into the group, new members are indoctrinated in MEK ideology and revisionist Iranian history. Members are also required to undertake a vow of "eternal divorce" and participate in weekly "ideological cleansings." Additionally, children are reportedly separated from parents at a young age. MEK leader Maryam Rajavi has established a "cult of personality." She claims to emulate the Prophet Muhammad and is viewed by members as the "Iranian President in exile."

Khodabandeh believes that the statement by the US State Department is the work of experts and professionals and is not politically motivated.

MKO EFFORTS TO DRAW ATTENTION OF WAR-MONGERING PENTAGON FACTION

The two former MKO members further unveiled the efforts made by the terrorist organisation to establish relations with the war-mongering faction of the Pentagon.

According to them, after the fall of Saddam Hussein, the terrorist MKO made efforts to attract the attention of certain war-seeking elements of the Pentagon.

They also referred to internal disputes in the US saying the US State Department, contrary to the view of the Pentagon war mongers, is opposed to using the MKO as a tool.

Khodabandeh referred to the statement of the US State Department plus the classification of the MKO as a cult, the two huge "obstacles" in the way of such efforts.

He believes that by inserting the MKO in the list of terrorist organisations again, both by the US and the EU, efforts for the MKO cooperating with the west in general and the USA in particular are "blocked".

Considering the expert views presented on the terrorist MKO, the US State Department would argue that the cult is not trustworthy and would be placed in the rank of such groups as al-Qaeda, the two former MKO members said.

Regarding the question of the cults, they said that "methodology" is the prime issue, not the "ideology". In other words, in a cult, the use of methods for total mental domination on a person in line with the cultic tendencies would be under consideration.

Khodabandeh said that the position of the terrorist MKO for Washington is similar to those terrorist groups supported by the US in certain countries of the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon, who later took action against the US interests.

Bassam also believes that the MKO is trying to take advantages of the existing Iran-US disputes for its survival.

He added that as to restrictions faced by the MKO since it was included in the list of the International Terrorist Groups, the MKO members, in order to escape the restrictions in Europe and in the US, were active under the cover of "Iranian Societies" and "National Resistance".

WHY SILENT

The remaining question is that due to the negative impacts of the statement of the US State Department on the activities of the MKO, why the cult had remained silent over the past two months and had not given any response?

Khodabandeh gives an interesting answer to this question. He said that the MKO used to take a tough stance vis-a-vis previous statements issued by the US State Department but this time the case is different.

According to him, one reason behind the stillness is that the MKO is faced with a political "deadlock" in the international arena and is incapable of showing any reaction.

They both said that all cults are obliged to provide propaganda to feed their members in order to pretend that everything is going well.

The two former MKO members reiterated that the organisation has inducted its members that the west and the US are currently supporting the MKO. Therefore they do not want such negative reports reach their members so they keep silent regarding the statement.

The two believe that members of the cult are living in "delusion".

They give an example saying: "Those living in Ashraf Camp are presented with a false image of Iran. Therefore when we arrived in Tehran, we saw that the situation was totally different from what we had thought."

They added that the MKO has told its members inside the organisation that Maryam Rajavi is the designer of "third option" strategy, which in reality is to be executed by the Pentagon!

Khodabandeh said: "By issuing such statement, the US in fact has disappointed the MKO. Therefore, leaders of this terrorist group, in order to keep their members away from the reality, preferred to remain silent regarding the statement.

He emphasised that the recent report by the US State Department had passed through a point of no-return and has faced the MKO strategy in seeking a substitute for Saddam Hussein in the west with a complete deadlock.

He said that the stillness of MKO regarding the report precisely originates from this strategic deadlock.

Due to the severance of relations between those living in Ashraf Camp with their families and friends and in general with the realities of the outside world, Bassam said that the Iraqi formula is different from those in other parts of the world.

Despite the issuance of such statement by the US State Department, reports point to the cooperation between the MKO and some elements in the US Defence Department, he added.

Khodabandeh is of the view that Washington may use this card in its negotiations with Iran. However, the card is not so important because the Ashraf Camp in not a security concern for Iran any longer, he added.

Bassam believes that Washington has been trapped in Iraq. The MKO is trying to pretend that Iran is involved in the Iraqi problems and thus get closer to Washington, he added.

He said that the Iraqi government is willing to dismantle the Ashraf Camp. Referring to the current situation as sensitive for the MKO, he added that they are trying to come out of this quagmire before George W Bush’s second term is over.

MKO SEEKING AN ALTERNATIVE FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN

The two former MKO members added that the objective of the terrorist organisation is to gain power by any means including cooperation with Saddam Hussein. The cult is seeking a person like the former Iraqi dictator to lean on, they noted.

They were convinced that the statement has placed an obstacle in the way of MKO efforts, to create such a point of backing by the US, and has made the organisation face an impasse.

Asking Khodabandeh about the role of the French government in toughening the tone of the statement, in response he referred to acts of self-immolations by MKO members in Paris in 2003, after the arrest of Maryam Rajavi and added that those MKO members arrested by the French police at that time, unveiled some realities indicating cultic relations inside the organisation.

Meanwhile, Bassam reiterated that in addition to the reports by the French government on the terrorist cult, disclosure made by over 2000 MKO breakaway members was effective in making the tone of the statement stronger.

According to them, the West is currently well aware that such cults are a threat to both their members and their surrounding environment.

ALARM FOR EUROPE, US

The statement of the US State Department has referred to Europe as the two command headquarters of the organisation. Commenting on the issue, Khodabandeh and Bassam said if true, this could be alarming for Europe.

They further reiterated that both the US and Europe should be concerned over terrorist operations by the MKO members.

The move by some MKO members who committed self-immolation after the arrest of Maryam Rajavi on 17 June 2003 in Paris, is an indication of this alarm, they said urging both the US and Europe to be sensitive towards possible terrorist operations by MKO members.

Khodabandeh said that noting is more dangerous than a cult having reached the state of impasse. Under such condition, he said, the behaviour of a terrorist cult would be unpredictable and such a threat would endanger, before anything else, the security of countries they live in as well as its present and breakaway members.

August 1, 2007 0 comment

Mujahedin Khalq 's Function

MEK’s Ugly Role in Iraq

In an exclusive interview with IRNA in Tehran and in response to a question on what prevents the expulsion of MKO despite Iraqi government’s decision to do so, Seyed Abdul Aziz Hakim, the head of Iraqi Unity Coalition, said: "The MKO has acted against the interests of Iraqis and Iraqi constitution doesn’t allow them to act."

The head of Iraqi Unity Coalition said that terrorist MKO cooperated with Saddam and his secret services, adding: "Not only they acted against Iran but also suppressed the uprising of Iraqi people in 1991; they have always been the enemy of Iraqis and now they play an ugly and negative role in Iraq."

"Coalition forces prevent their expulsion with the excuse that they’re refugees. We in the Iraqi government and SCIRI call for the expulsion of this group from Iraq," he said.

IRNA – 2007/07/12

July 14, 2007 0 comment

Mujahedin Khalq; A proxy force

giant leap in wrong direction

Iran says US call to use MKO "giant leap in wrong direction" Iran’s mission to the UN here Wednesday said a call made by two US representatives to take more political advantage of the terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization against Iran was a "giant leap in wrong direction".

The mission made the statement in response to an article written by Rep Tom Tancredo and Bob Filner published by `Washington Times’ on June 15. The two Republican representatives called on the Bush administrator to make more use of the MKO against Iran.

In its response letter published in Washington Times on Wednesday, the mission expressed regret over a false approach towards the terrorist group and a recommendation to use it in line with illegitimate goals of the US foreign policy.

"The Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization is a known terrorist group that has committed atrocities in Iran and in the region for more than four decades. "It has a dark history of aligning itself with the Baathist regime of (former Iraqi president) Saddam Hussein which used it as a mercenary army against the Kurds and to invade Iran from its bases in Iraq," the letter said.

It added, "Even prior to September 11, the MKO was in the initial stages of aligning itself with the Taliban and Al Qaeda but its plans to set up bases in Afghanistan vanished with the developments in Kabul."

"The authors have not done a proper scrutiny of the MKO’s violent record which includes the assassination of a president, a prime minister and 80 lawmakers as well as thousands of innocent Iranian civilians," it said.

"Despite claims by the authors, the terrorist cult gave up its weapons only after US troops attacked its base in Iraq, at which point it began a process of adaptation to a post-September 11 era where there is no tolerance for terrorism in any country. It now claims for democratic values."

The mission described as "a definite misnomer" the appellation "democratic" for the MKO terrorist group, saying, "The MKO has an eclectic ideology that blends Stalinist Marxism and militant leftism with ossified interpretations of Islam (like Al Qaeda), espousing the idea of urban guerrilla warfare."

The letter called on the authors to pay attention that "it is not only the US government but also the European Union which have branded the MKO as terrorist, based on an anti-democratic cult of leadership who systematically purge and even torture their internal critics per a recent report by the Human Rights Watch".

In response to a part of the article which claimed that Iran’s severe reaction to the terrorist group showed its importance, the mission said, "Severe efforts against a terrorist group are not a sign of its size or significance, rather they reflect the

seriousness of terrorism danger as the main problem to the international peace and security. "This is what the international community should refuse in consensus and to avoid double standards."

The mission slammed the two representatives outlook on making use of the group against Iran, stressing, "The proud Iranian nation will never embrace such armed cliques supported by alien powers, a group whose leaders have repeatedly showed their terrorist face."

"It is also a contradiction to refer to the MKO as a relatively small group based largely in the Iranian diaspora which has proved a reliable source of intelligence and a useful tool to deal with Iran and on the other as a viable Iranian democratic opposition group."

"At a time when the Iraqi government has demanded the expulsion of the MKO terrorists from their territory, the authors’ call for the use of the group as a political tool against a democratic, elected government is a giant leap in the wrong direction," the letter further stated."

06/07/2007, IRNA

July 10, 2007 0 comment

MKO Supporter Mocked in UK Parliament

A Lord Member of Parliament in Britain, who called on all western countries to provide their all-out support for the terrorist organization of Mojahedin-e khalq to topple the Iranian regime, was mocked by other MPs.

According to IRNA’s correspondent from UK Parliament, Lord Archer was grilled on the issue of Iran by the members of the House of Common’s Commission of Foreign Relations.

Lord Archer, 70, is one of the major well-known supporters of the MKO in the UK. "I have no documents indicating that MKO is involved in violent terrorist activities and I believe it’s the work of Iranian regime’s propaganda," he said.

What caused the laughter of MPs and others in the parliament was the following comment by Archer: "I really don’t know the reason of Iraqi’s enmity with the MKO and I couldn’t find a reason for that!"

This supporter of MKO said "MKO’s cooperation with Saddam’s regime in suppressing Iraqi Kurds" was an unproved claim and "a rumor by the MKO’s enemies"!

He also claimed that "in a historical move, more than 5 million Iraqis signed a petition in favor of MKO against the Islamic Republic!", which was also mocked by the MPs.

In an odd response, he said: "Iraqi government stands the presence of MKO in Iraq"!

In the end, he inevitably admitted that most of his intelligence on Iran comes from MKO sources.

IRNA, June 8, 2007

July 10, 2007 0 comment

Iran

There is no reason for stay of MKO members in Iraq

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said here Sunday Tehran and Caracas would sign 20 agreements and memoranda of understanding in various fields during the current visit by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to Iran…

…

Asked about the possibility for return of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) members to Iran with respect to a call by their families, Hosseini said,”The Islamic Republic of Iran will pardon all the group’s members who have committed no crime.

“There is no reason for stay of MKO members in Iraq. Those who have not committed any crime can use Iran’s amnesty and return to the country.”

July 4, 2007 0 comment

European Union

The European Union released Friday its updated list of terrorist entities removing three groups and adding one.

The EU removed three Italian groups, Nuclei Territoriali Antimperialisti (Anti-Imperialist Territorial Units); Nuclei di Iniziativa Proletaria Rivoluzionaria (Unit for Revolutinonary Proletarian Initiative); Nuclei di Iniziativa Proletaria (Units for Proletarian Initiative) and added the Greek group Epanastatikos Agonas (Revolutionary Struggle).

58 persons and 48 groups are included in the new EU blacklist.

The Iranian terror group MKO remains on the updated list.

The European Court of Justice last December annulled the decision by the EU to put the MKO on the terror register in 2002.

Since then the group was trying to propagate that it will be removed from the EU terror list.

The court ruling, however, was related to procedural matters rather than the decision itself.

An EU statement said improvements have been agreed regarding the listing and de-listing procedures concerning those on the EU terrorist list, in the light of the court ruling in the MKO case.

"In particular, a statement of reasons is now provided for each person or entity subject to an asset freeze and the persons and entities concerned are informed of the possibility to submit a request , together with supporting documentation, that the decision to include them on the list should be reconsidered."

"New procedures have also been agreed concerning notification, the handling of proposals for listing and of requests for de-listing, and the review of the list," it noted.

"A new working party will be charged with examining proposals for listings and de-listings and with preparing the regular review of the list by the Council."

The EU first adopted restrictive measures against persons and entities involved in terrorism in December 2001, in the wake of the terrorist attacks on 11 September that year.

Since then the lists of those subject to the restrictive measures have been reviewed on a regular basis.

The parties concerned will be informed via a "letter of notification" of the specific information that forms the basis for the EU decision.

The parties concerned may challenge the Council’s decision before the EU Court of Justice, said the EU statement.

June 29, IRNA

July 3, 2007 0 comment

European Union

MKO stays on EU terrorist list

The Iranian MKO group remains on the new list of European Union terrorist groups.

According to EU sources, the new list which remains unchanged from last December will be published Friday in the EU’s Official Journal.

The European Court of Justice last December annulled the decision by the EU to put the MKO on the terror register in 2002.

Since then the group was trying to propagate that it will be removed from the EU terror list.

The court ruling, however, was related to procedural matters rather than the decision itself, noted EU officials.

June 29, IRNA

July 3, 2007 0 comment

Iraq

MKO’s Recent Meeting Widely Condemned in Iraq

An Iraqi MP, from Diyala province, condemned the meeting of MKO in its Ashraf Camp, in the city of al-Khales, on Saturday.

Taha Dar’alsadi, from Unified Iraqi Coalition, the biggest faction in the Iraqi parliament, said: "We condemn this meeting that was held with the assistance of some Sunni tribes and also Saleh Mutlaq, the head of Iraqi Dialog Front.

"Mojahedin-e Khalq organization is involved in religious tensions in Diyala province and the continuation of its activities and the presence of its camps in al-Khales are not acceptable," he said.

"Some of its elements directly involved in the unrest in the province and particularly in Abu-Seid have been identified by the residents."

He also said that the MKO started its movements to divide Shiites and Sunnis and destabilize the province since the fall of Saddam Hussein and his regime.

The recent meeting of MKO has received a big wave of protests inside Iraq; in the meeting, Saleh Mutlaq (anti-Iran figure) was introduced as the honorary head of MKO’s annual congress.

A number of governmental and independent committees and associations have condemned this meeting.

This gathering was held by the MKO and with the security assistance of American forces and some Iraqi groups, which oppose Islamic Republic.

Iraqi Governing Council issued an order for MKO’s expulsion in 2003 and current government also has repeatedly asked for its expulsion but US forces oppose the decision.

Iraqi Center for International Dialog and Research held a conference last February, by the support of Deputy PM in Security Affairs, and asked the government to take necessary steps in order for the expulsion of MKO.

IRNA – 2007/06/21

June 25, 2007 0 comment

Mujahedin Khalq 's Function

MKO Attacks Paris Meeting

The meeting of an association of Iranians in France that supposed to be held on Sunday under the title of "Yes to Peace and Peaceufl Coexistence, No to Violence and Sectarianism", was canceled by the attack of an unknown group, allegedly tied to MKO.

According to IRNA from Paris, fifty unknown men, allegedly the members of Mojahedin-e khalq terrorist organization attacked the guests and sponsors of the meeting with knives and broken glasses, leaving 13 wounded.

The attack took place at the early moments of the meeting. French police came to the scene and fired tear gas before arresting some people.

Massoud Khodabandeh, London-based Iranian researcher, was supposed to give his speech on disadvantages of sectarianism and violence in the world. He expressed regret over the incident, in an interview with IRNA’s correspondent in Paris.

"According to reports received at the beginning of the meeting, 50 members of this terrorist organization, who had been deployed from Netherlands, Germany, Britain, Belgium and Switzerland for this mission, attacked the participators with knives and other things," he said.

According to Khodabandeh, the incident took 10 minutes and security guards clashed with the members of MKO, which left 13 wounded with 10 from the group.

"Police’s interference ended the clash and the injured ones were taken to hospital," he added.

This Iranian researcher asked French security officials to take measures in order to protect the lives of Iranians in that country against these terrorists.

IRNA’s report also indicates that prayer leader of Marooni minorities in France was also there when the clash happened. He expressed dissatisfaction and regret over the incident.

IRNA, June 18, 2007

June 21, 2007 0 comment

Iran

Ambassador: We raised our concerns transparently in Baghdad meeting

Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Hassan Kazemi homi said Iran’s concerns were brought up in a transparent way in the trilateral meeting in Baghdad between Iran, US and Iraq.

Speaking in a press conference after the meeting, Kazemi Ghomi said, "We made clear the role of occupiers in Iraq and reminded them their mistakes in running the affairs in Iraq."

"We also told the Americans explicitly that the problems of Iraqi people will increase if the US continues its occupation of Iraq." "Our main reason for taking part in the negotiation was supporting the government of Prime Minister al-Maliki in Iraq and we are ready to offer any kind of assistance to Iraq Government to increase its ability in running the country," Ambassador Kazemi said.

On the accusations raised by the US delegation about Iran’s intervention in Iraq, the ambassador said,"This is not the first time that Americans raise that accusation and we gave appropriate responses to them in the meeting."

He said the three sides agreed on helping the government of Iraq that it can restore national sovereignty.

Stressing that the lack of security was the most serious problem in Iraq, the participants underlined the necessity of helping the legitimate government of Iraq to achieve the ability for establishing security in the country.

The ambassador said the establishment of a trilateral security committee to strengthen the military and defensive abilities of Iraqi government was discussed in the meeting.

Kazemi said today’s talks were the first step of a process and the Iraqi government has proposed the resumption of them in near future which should be examined in Tehran.

On the issue of Iranian diplomats captured in Iraq by US forces, Kazemi said that issue was not raised in the talks because "we believe the Iraqi government is responsible for it and should take the required steps in this regard."

On the terrorist group of MKO, Kazemi said based on the decisions taken by the government of Iraq, the members of the group must leave Iraq and Baghdad is determined to implement its decisions

IRNA – May 29,

May 31, 2007 0 comment

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