Paul Sheldon Foote, Professor at California state university, Irvine, made his comments on the Mujahedin-e Khalq terrorist group in an interview with Habilian.
He pointed out that Mujahedin-e Khalq is a useful tool for the Israelis “by promoting hatred of Iran, by telling lies about Iran, and by conducting terrorist operations in Iran.”
“Israel can always deny any knowledge of or support for these activities,” he continued.
In response to question about the supports for MKO from the West, namely, the United States, Sheldon Foote said, “Most Americans do not even have passports. They have not visited Iran. It is easy for the MKO to lie about supporting democracy.”
He made reference to the supports for MKO done by some members of Congress and stated that they “can receive thousands of dollars.” “Some political leaders have made trips to Paris and France paid by the MKO.”
He went on to say that the MKO receives some of its funding “from the American and Saudi Arabian governments even though the MKO is on the American State Department’s list of terrorist organizations.”
“Pro-Israel lobby groups exert extreme pressure on American politicians,” he further explained. “If the State Department removes the MKO from the terrorist list, then the American government would lose any excuse for accepting MKO members in America.”
The Professor at California state university in Irvine noted that the MKO continues to exist because "most Iranians living outside of Iran are afraid to criticize the MKO."
Saturday, 04 February 2012 Habilian