Iran’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammad-Javad Zarif, wrote a letter here on Wednesday to the UN Secretary General and the head of the UN Security Council on outlawed Iranian terrorist organization, the MKO.
The letter reads, " Upon instruction from my Government, I have the honor to bring the following to your attention: On 16 June 2006 ,the French Government lifted a series of restrictions against a number of the leading members of a well-known terrorist group , namely the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO)."
The restrictions were previously imposed with a view to control the activities of the said terrorist Organization.
That decision runs counter to the decision of the European Union to place the MKO on its list of terrorist organizations.
It also contravenes the international commitments of the French Government in the area of combating terrorism. It is obvious that such an approach towards terrorist groups undermines the world-wide consensus against terrorism and could only result in emboldening terrorists to continue their inhumane activities.
Undoubtedly, terrorism violates the fundamental human rights and freedoms, and threatens international peace and security. Therefore, combating terrorism must be all-encompassing and devoid of any double standard and selectivity.
Governments, based on their international commitments, are obligated to refrain from providing any kind of support to terrorists, including harboring and financing them and precluding control over their activities and movements.
In view of the above, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly protests against the said decision and cautions the French Government about the negative consequences that it may entail.
It expects that all governments, in whose territories the elements of the MKO are present, especially the French Government, to promptly adopt necessary measures aimed at controlling and suppressing the activities of this group and its affiliated front institutions, which are ,inter alia, engaged in planning acts of terrorism and money-raising activities under cover of charity organizations to illegal actions and promoting violence and terrorism.
I should be grateful if you would have this letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly under agenda item 108, and of the Security Council.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration."
United Nations, Aug 2, IRNA
