MKO Indoctrinates Members
The cult of Rajavi
In order to achieve power on Iranian political scene, MKO leaders view three basic factors for their organizational promotion:
Working more actively, dissolving in the organizational system and actually the most dependence on the organization.
The internal relation in MKO has been based on “ambition” and “obedience” as the two faces of same coin. The “ambitions” of leaders lead to “obedience” of members. Such a notorious relationship makes a horrifying network of terror and cult-like practices.
Member-leader relationship, in MKO is based on “absolute humiliation” and “absolute power”. In such an organization, the principal rule is the absolute devotion of members and sympathizers to leaders. The minor members have to obey the superior members as an unchangeable principal. The members never believe in their own talent, independence and abilities.
According to MKO cult-like methodology, human rights do not include freedom and democracy as a natural right for human being. The leaders believe that freedom is an obstacle against member’s relation with his UNIQUE leader: Masud Rajavi. They believe that member’s mind is disabled unless when it links to his leader. Thus, they believe that democracy is corruptive and not reforming.
The leader is the only source of goodness and if the relation between the leader and the member interrupts for a moment, the member’s fall (collapse) is inevitable.
The member should never trust his own mind. A member who is not dependent on the leader is always guilty.
Therefore, information is the worst poison for members’ minds. Awareness is a tool for free will and making free decision so it bars the members from absolute obedience. Therefore, awareness is not only redundant in the cult also an obstacle in the way to obey the center [the leader] of the cult.
Behind such bars in the cult of Rajavi, the members submit themselves to the organization. They see the whole world from the restricted aspect Maryam and Massoud Rajavi force them to.
Long term membership in such a cult paralyzes logic and common sense of individuals and paves the way for manipulative practices the leaders use to achieve their ambitions. When the member’s individuality is denied, his thought and emotions will be consequently ruined, the only remaining idea is what the leaders want. So, member becomes an automatic machine which works under the leader’s order. Thus they are always prepared to be sent for suicide operations.
By Mazda Parsi
A constant, regular monitoring technique within the cult of Mojahedin to have the mind and behavioral changes of the insiders under control is weekly confessions sessions (Jari sessions), better to call inquisition, through which members have to confess before others of their thoughts and intentions and are in fact forced to pledge allegiance to the leadership. Following critical situations and sensitive cases, it is before the leader himself rather than other subordinates that certain members have to prove their allegiance. Although people living in free, democratic world may laugh at such seemingly droll things in the modern world it is strictly practiced in most of cult particularly in the cult of Mojahedin.
Soon after the freedom of 36 MKO on the part of the Iraqi government and their settlement in camp Ashraf, the so-called Jari sessions were held for them via a telephone conference under the responsibility of Masoud Rajavi, a program aired by Mojahedin TV. There are some significant points to be noted in this regard. The behavior of the organization regarding these members was against humanity to force them take part in long sessions and interrogations despite their adverse physical conditions and the fact that some were under interrogation while lying in bed receiving medical treatment.
The fact is that bearing the conditions of these sessions is impossible even for the healthy members let alone those being one step far from death; as Maryam Rajavi said they would have died in 12 hours if they had not been released. Her claim may imply that the basic and fundamental pillars of the ideological-political survival of the organization are their organizational bastion, camp Ashraf, as well as inquisition sessions in particular to the point that they are not to be stopped under any conditions. Even those under treatment have to explain where they were, what they did, and how sincere they had been to operating Jari sessions by firm proof and evidence in the first hours of their arrival to the organization.
According to the statements made by Mrs. Soltani on suicide attacks, even two-manned teams entering Iran for accomplishing terrorist activities had to hold regular Jari sessions. In confirming her statements, it has to be pointed out that these 36 members insisted that they would hold Jari sessions among themseles under any conditions all through the course of their detention.
In no better way could the organization warn the adversaries. The airing of these inquisition sessions by Mojahedin’s TV may be considered a threat and warning particularly against the Iraqi government and officials. The organization is vigilant to observe the reaction of Iraqi officials to these programs to organize its future actions and policies. Iraqi officials are to pursue these sessions watchfully and analyze them carefully to find out the true cultic identity of Mojahedin.
Beside the paradoxical statements of these 36 individuals regarding the conditions of their imprisonment and the behavior of Iraqi government, what is apparent is the full influence of organization on these individuals. The only solution for queering this influence is separation of high rankings from the rank and files without which neither can the freedom of captive members be materialized nor can Mojahedin be expelled from Iraqi soil.
The shared point of the statements of all these 36 persons is pleasing the person in charge of Jari sessions, Masoud Rajavi. These statements focus on some points like confessing to their full dependence upon Masoud to whom they feel indebted under any conditions. The other point is their insistence on proving their loyalty to the leader and organization that guarantees their survival.
Externalizing these relations in one of the most critical periods of the organization when it is trying to attract the attention of the West has paradoxical dimensions. Although those familiar with the nature of the organization have fathomed its cultic and terrorist threat, there are still those who need to observe these aired footages and think of a way for minimizing or eliminating the threat of the organization as an unknown cult. The internal structure of the organization may imply its policy in dealing with the outside world too. It has out-and-out focus on submission and obedience toward one person as the leader at any price. The fact that all these 36 members and the audience state clearly that they are ready to die, kill, and bear hunger and thirst since their leader carries the main burden of the adverse conditions and pains may have many lessons for the outside world.
The publication of Rajavi’s own presence in the management of these sessions is of very significance and may raise some speculations. It may mean the termination of his organizational-cultic hide-out to stop the disintegration of the organization, a warning for the outsiders, or his presence in camp Ashraf and justifying the attempts of MKO members in defending Camp Ashraf and resisting to leave it. If it is so, a great part of the incidents happening inside and outside camp Ashraf may be attributed to his presence in camp Ashraf. According to RAND report, the Americans have evaded to inspect many Mojahedin facilities and it is very likely that Masoud Rajavi is settled somewhere inside Camp Ashraf.
The most demonstrative and horrifying about a dangerous terrorist cult is the unexpected. As it never feels any responsibility, respects no regulation and adheres to no ethics concerning its insiders and outsiders it can be an instant blast of catastrophe. The July arrest of 36 MKO members by the Iraqi police that faced it with violent and threatening reactions of the organization has been the latest psychological-media project of Mojahedin in latest few months. The consequent general showy hunger strike of sympathizers and members as well as some advocators in the European cities and camp Ashraf are an indication of uncivil and aggressive actions of MKO to engage in to counteract the constraints imposed on the organization.
The world never forgets the horrible cultic self-immolations in June 003 following the arrest of Maryam Azdanlu by the French police . The main question put to the organization is that how long is the organization to solve its legal and political problems by is means of cultic and uncivil solutions and procedures.
Referring to the Iraqi President’s latest remarks concerning the relocation of the organization to a camp near Baghdad, the organization made no hesitation to state that “Maliki’s repeated fallacious claims against the residents of Asharaf are merely a justification for further criminal actions against them”. Was really the release of those arrested culprits who had violated the rules of their host country a criminal act? Or requiring them peacefully and under the auspices of the world’s protective organizations and media presence a justification for further criminal actions against the group?
Based on any country’s laws and regulations, it has the right to counteract any threats to ensure the security of its nationals especially when a country like Iraq is facing a rife internal chaos. The same incidents and violations may happen in any country and the rules of that particular country are the criteria for convicting wrongdoers. However, Mojahedin insist to turn the same case into a major crisis since they are not hew to any civil law and regulation but their own cultic and reactionary doctrine. According to the history of the organization, Mojahedin have never submitted to any law in such occasions and rather they have broken national and international rules using uncivil and aggressive procedures. Furthermore, it always attempts to accuses its opponents and put the blame on them.
In this regard they resort to some levers and instruments as was seen in the process of arrest and freedom of 36 MKO members. In the events of June 2003 and arrest of Maryam Azdanlu, the victims of self-immolations were the levers of organization. Likewise, in recent events the hunger strikers in camp Ashraf and European countries have formed the main lever of the organization in facing the challenges. It seems that it is not significant how many members are to be victimized this time since it is willed by the organization leadership, this process may lead to the death of some members. What is of importance is that Iraqi officials are recommended not to submit to illegal demands of Mojahedin as did Americans and other human rights organizations and are to find a political solution inside Iraqi soil that is undoubtedly time-consuming.
An Iranian opposition group called People’s Mujahedin (MKO). It had a base in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, and cooperated closely with the dictator. Now it must leave the country. And sets up in Oslo.
Ebrahim Khadabandeh
Ebrahim Khadabandeh has bitter experiences in it. He has spent decades of his life as a member of MKO. Now he warns others against the organization.
He was a member of MKO’s international affairs. He resided in London and his main responsibility was to care contacts with British parliamentarians. The organization gives priority to such works. Ebrahim knew well how important it was in the organization’s propaganda, when the organization’s leader, Maryam Rajavi, was recently received in the Norwegian Sorting.
We owe the reader to announce that Ebrahim is on loan from Evin prison, accused of having link to an opposition organization. He was arrested on the border with Syria, with two millions of dollars in cash, which the organization wanted to ensure that it was no longer safe in Iraq. First, he detained in Syrian prison – where was the "absolutely bad", he says, before he arrived in Evin prison – as "not so bad". There, he read books among other things, about the cults and sects. He says MKO is a sect.
MKO as a sect
"You know," he says, "that at higher levels in the organization only women can be leaders. the reason externally provided is that women have been oppressed. And you want to ‘make up’ for this. But the actual reason is that Massoud Rajavi, the leader, and husband of Maryam Rajavi, fears male rivals. Women will not challenge him. "
So he has deprived male authority competition and has given women authority over men. Foremost among the women is Maryam Rajavi, his wife. Massoud calls it "an ideological revolution".
Maryam was the first woman to become another MKO leader. She was the ex- wife of the second person[Mehdi Abrishamchi] of the organization. Mehdi Abrishamchi was then obliged ‘to express his great joy’ to be able to contribute to ‘the ideological association’ between his wife and Massoud Rajavi.
Ebrahim believes it is the sign of a cult , the leader marries the wife of another leader in this way.
"Another aspect of the MKO as a sect is that you always have to follow the leader," he says. "The leader is all that matters, and everyone must follow his wishes. Maryam Rajavi says it in this way: ‘One may doubt God. But we cannot doubt Massoud. " No organization is allowed to doubt him. "
"Leader and the cause are superior to everything," said Ebrahim. "Family and children lead you away from these. Therefore, Massoud decided that the children of MKO members should be sent to other countries, to be adopted or raised there. The members did not have contact with them. Slogan was ‘All for the head!’ "
– "What happened to the children?" We ask.
– "Some will not talk about it. Others have mental problems. While others have returned to Iraq and joined the MKO. Totally, we are talking about around 1,000 people. "
He does one say may well be the rule in Iran. He does not own either. But he considers himself enticed by the MKO.
"MKO bears all the signs of a cult," he says. "It has a self-appointed leader. The organization has a totalitarian structure. The leader has complete control over all members’ lives. The organization uses manipulation techniques to influence people. "
Remains a cult
– "But how could the organization be survived as a cult for many years?”
– "The organization requires hard working by the members," he says. "The members are tired. They do not currently go. They can only read the organization’s publications. They live within cults boundaries. Psychologically, they are locked up. Most are also physically isolated. "
– "But why are you worried about the MKO as a cult?"
– "A cult is like a landmine," he says. "It can explode, and is dangerous. Landmines must be dug up. "
He said: "We have a picture of Iran, in the form of a story. It is about a scorpion and a frog. "And then he gives us the story:
"Scorpion was over a river. But it could not swim and then asked a frog to sit on its back. ‘But you’re a scorpion,’ said the frog. ‘Out on the river, you can stab me. “‘Then I drown myself,’ said the scorpion. So the frog let it sit on.
In mid-river, the scorpion stings him, dooming the two of them. ‘Why did you do that? “ Asked the frog. The other said: ‘I am when I sting! Because I am a scorpion.’ “
Ebrahim says its cool logic, unpredictable and dangerous.
Cult changing faces
He said MKO has several faces. And show the face based on whom they are talking to. When they speak to people in the West, take up the democratic and secular. But their face is "Islamic" and militants, when they see the benefit from it.
"Massoud does not believe in a fixed opinion or ideology," he says. "Massoud is out of power. He is obsessed with the idea of becoming leader of Iran. "
– "Will he be there?"
– "MKO has no support in Iran, and will not be able to take power alone. They are dependent on help from others. Now they addressed themselves to the United States, and ask the U.S. to use them. They want the U.S. to give money and support, as Saddam Hussein did before. But the United States hesitates, for they know that the MKO is a cult. "
MKO or Rajavi group as it is called is now looking for an office in Oslo. They invite you to seminars and meetings. We will certainly hear more from them.
By Trond Ali Linstad 05/06/2008 – Tranalsted by Nejat Society
The process of manipulation in cults is a never ending and non-stop methodology which guarantees existence of the cult and maintenance of members in the isolated atmosphere of the cult.
The 36 Ashraf residents, who had been detained by Iraqi Police after the raid on the camp, attended their cleansing meeting under the supervision of Massoud Rajavi, following their release from Iraqi prison. The video of the meeting was aired on MKO’s TV channel and published on their website a few days ago but only for a short time. The video showed some of the released members attending the meeting on their hospital bed. They attended the meeting just a few hours after their release. This shows how vital indoctrination meetings are for cult leaders. The immediately held cleansing meeting where some of the participants weren’t feeling well due to the hunger strike they had gone in the prison, according to their indoctrinations.
The participants confessed that they held their self – criticism meetings even in Iraqi prison! They told to their God-like leader, Massoud Rajavi, that they held the meetings even in groups of two under any circumstances. As MKO’s TV channel showed, Current Operation (cult jargon) is so influential that the 36 released members noted that their only objective is satisfying their leader, Massoud Rajavi.
During the meeting Massoud Rajavi spoke to the audience via telephone. The presence of Rajavi himself in the meeting indicated the importance of meeting to the organization that held the cleansing meeting under the supervision of the highest authority of the group.
The video showed the audience including the 36 released members clearly declared that they are always ready for absolute obedience to leaders’ orders. This film represents one of the few times that MKO’s internal relation is revealed to outside world and maybe that’s why they kept it on their website only for more a few days and then they removed it. The true nature of Rajavi’s cult was announced on its website in the best way.
Today MKO’s propaganda champagne launches too much effort to gain the West’s support but the film of the cult’s manipulation session sill bring about contradictions around the group which has always claimed to be democratic, to seek freedom and liberation of thought and speech for people. The show asserts the undemocratic cult-like nature of the group that will definitely make the West feel the threat of such a destructive cult.
The West is absolutely concerned about the threat of cults such as Al Qaida or MKO because the danger caused by such cults today is risking the lives of a lot of people in the world including Iraq or Afghanistan.
The devoted members of the cult always promise that they are prepared to commit suicide operation for the cause the leader says.
As the participants of Rajavi’s cleansing session said, they welcome pain, hunger and death just for their leader who, according to them, is the only one who suffers the most. The confessions of Ashraf residents would be a great lesson for the West since the potential danger of such a cult will not be limited to the cult itself but to the world community as what happened in June 2003 after the arrest of Maryam Rajavi by French Police.
By Mazda Parsi
Behind the bars of a mind control cult, like Rajavi’s destructive cult, the leaders never want the internal affairs of the cult to be revealed. They are well aware that if their manipulative practices are externalized, the cult existence will be endangered since the human rights bodies and the international community never ignores such abusive acts. That’s why Rajavi is terrified by the testimonies of former members who externalize the internal affairs of the cult and always tries to label them as the agents of Islamic Republic’s intelligence ministry.
On the other hand, the isolated members of the cult who are brainwashed through complex manipulation sessions and other cult jargons are not able to have any access to outside world. They are never informed of the true events taking place outside Camp Ashraf. All news and incidents are filtered and censured by cult leaders and then published for cult’s captured members. In fact, the Rajavis are also terrified by the truths that might be internalized by external elements.
As it was published in the media, the 36 Ashraf residents who were arrested by Iraqi police after the raid on Camp Ashraf in July 28th,were released on Wednesday October 7th , the detainees who were on hunger strike (that was ordered by cult leaders) while they were in Iraqi prison were taken to hospital due to their crucial health problem according to MKO’s spokesperson and now they are in a kind of medical quarantine ! After about 5 days since their release there have been no special news or interviews on MKO’s websites although its propaganda system has always been ready to hunt an opportunity for a big show-off. Even the cult’s TV channel, Simaye Azadi, which is its non-stop working propaganda machine has not published further news or interviews with liberated members.
As usual the cult should have taken the most use of the so-called atrocities against its detained members but in fact it prefers to keep silent.
One might suppose that these 36 individuals, who were far from the cult’s indoctrinations for more than 70 days, could find an occasion to be alone by themselves. They could face their individuality without the controlling regulations of the cult which had dominated all aspects of their life and their soul.
They might have had enough time to contemplate or meet other people with different ideas. They might have found new facts about the outside world which may oppose to what the cult had made them believe. In such a condition, the old terrifying case might have happened: the external facts have been internalized in the members’ minds.
Therefore, the leaders have to keep them in a mental quarantine too because their mind should be reorganized according to cult’ indoctrinations. But how late could the cult leaders stop the truth coming to the camp? This is an unavoidable fact.
By Mazda Parsi
The survival of cults, and the political-terrorist groups like MKO in particular, depends mainly on their organizational as well as a dominant iron discipline that are the cause of numerous human tragedies and cultic practices that that risks the lives of the cult victims. The main factors resulting in total obedience and submission to cult leaders are convincing systems and brainwashing techniques as well as some other levers including intimidation and coercion of the members.
Therefore, the main consideration in dealing with cults and averting their danger is organizational split of cults through separating the leaders from the rank and files in order to break down the inter-twined and steel-like discipline exerted on the latter.
However, this issue has been ignored by the US forces while taking the control of camp Ashraf, the cultic bastion of the notorious terrorist cult of Mojahedin. Surprisingly enough, the Americans’ negligence in this regard not only led to the stability of organizational relations of Mojahedin but also resulted in a number of negative consequences like illegal resistance of Ashraf residents against the legal demands of Iraqi government.
The statements made after the process of transitions in Iraq resulting in Iraqi forces’ taking control of camp Ashraf imply that the American forces have behaved passively toward Mojahedin taking no preventive measure against them. In fact, since the fall of Saddam up to the deployment of Iraqi police in camp Ashraf, no effort has been made for the organizational dissolution of Mojahedin. Seemingly, this is the reason why Mojahedin disagreed to let the Iraqi police in.
Considerable evidences indicate that the coalition forces and the Americans were so indifferent and passive toward Mojahedin that they never cared about the authoritarian approaches of MKO’s leaders exerted on MKO Ashraf residents and also failed to prevent the exit of opposition forces from Ashraf based on some hidden agreements made between Ashraf leaders and the US commanders.
In fact, there was no control and surveillance on the internal and external relations of Mojahedin. There are many reports that verify the active cooperation between the US commanders and Ashraf leaders. There are numerous evidences indicating that American forces were obliged to classify organizational and military forces of Mojahedin based on their rank and control them separately but they refrained to do so and in some points it seemed that Mojahedin had the upper hand compared to the invading forces.
What is of great importance is that Mojahedin have been aware that the presence of Iraqi police in camp Ashraf will not be limited a physical presence. The reason of the violent reactions of Mojahedin and victimizing Ashraf residents in the course of June events is in this regard.
According to the statements of Iraqi officials, the palisades inside camp Ashraf are mainly used for controlling Ashraf residents, their movements, and relations and imply the complexity and organizational hierarchy of MKO. While the control of camp Ashraf was in the hands of the US forces, Mojahedin felt safe; however, the presence of Iraqi police in Ashraf as well as removing the palisades poses a threat to MKO leaders loosing the control of their bastion. In fact, the measures had to be implemented on Mojahedin seven years ago are just on the agenda of Iraqi officials. These are the primary steps for setting MKO rank and files free from cultic relations of Mojahedin.
Footages of the human shield of MKO members in complaint to the removal of palisades by Iraqi police shown in Mojahedin TV indicate the importance of these fences as a symbol of the internal and closed relations of Mojahedin. This action as well as separating MKO leaders from the rank and files may pave the way for dissidents to leave camp Ashraf and find the chance to govern their own destiny free from the cultic bonds of the organization. The demolishing of the strategic and ideological container of Mojahedin, camp Ashraf, should have been accomplished right after the invasion of coalition and American forces. Now, the presence of Iraqi forces in camp Ashraf is a step forward to fulfill the objective; the harsh backlash of Mojahedin leaders was not unexpected since it challenged its cultic sovereignty.
The recent events in camp Ashraf shows that the Iraqi government has to use parallel levers beside the legal ones in order to control Mojahedin and set its members free from the cultic relations of a closed group.
The reason maybe the cultic nature of this group and its unpredictable aspects like unconventional suicide operations carried out by the members who have been persuaded through convincing procedures and brainwashing techniques that entirely neutralize external influences.
The interviews with MKO former members and their eyewitnesses have convinced Iraqi officials that MKO like other cultic groups welcomes any violent reaction as a strategic issue. The question of violence is a broad one to be elaborated on from different aspects. There are numerous articles and studies in this regard but it has to be investigated more extensively.
Almost all cult experts are unanimous that coming to a clear understanding of cults, their motivations and nature is inevitable for averting their potential dangers. There are some levers for achieving this objective like covering communicative activities, studying historical models, and continuous interaction with former cult members to arrive at a realistic relation with them. In this regard, Singer writes:
My warmest thanks and deepest appreciation go to the more than three thousand cult victims who shared their stories, their pain, and their healing with me, helping me to learn about cults and the harm they have brought upon so many. 1
She also refers to the necessity of using clinical consultants beside cult ex-members and writes:
Exit counselors typically charge between $500 and $1,000 a day, plus expenses-a fee schedule similar to that of many other consultants. Exit counselors have to study and keep abreast of the ever, changing cult scene and collect data, films, and documents from and about the various groups. Many exit counselors do not charge for the extensive phone time that is involved. Most offer free clinics for ex-members and donate hundreds of free hours lecturing to schools, churches, and other organizations. 2
Although making use of consultants seems impossible regarding Mojahedin, it seems that MKO’s quitters, many of whom are active in different organs and NGOs, can achieve this objective. They may offer some information on camp Ashraf, classification of members, and their mental inclinations. Even these limited pieces of information may pave the way for minimizing the costs imposed on Iraq.
The Iraqi officials have to notice that MKO quitters are from different organizational layers based on which they can offer solutions for the current challenges from different aspects. For instance, those quitters from the Leadership Council have valuable information on the aspects of human tragedy focused on by Masoud Rajavi.
The information provided by these separated members helps Iraqi officials to recognize the objectives pursued by MKO leaders at the time being. The fact is that they are not aware of the true nature of MKO and its potential dangers for Iraq in this phase.
Despite camp Ashraf is a part of Iraqi soil, Iraqi officials are unaware of the transitions and changes made there and also its facilities. Even some MKO members are unfamiliar with the structure of this camp where they have lived for years. Undoubtedly, the lack of information may present Iraqi officials with serious problems. It seems that the only option before Iraqi officials is turning to MKO’s separated members for advice to get acquainted with camp Ashraf and its structure. In this regard, Iraqi officials can interact with MKO former members on following issues:
1. General information on the headquarters, buildings, media and telecommunication facilities, possible hideouts and prisons in camp Ashraf.
2. Advice on developing relation with Ashraf residents.
If Iraqi officials manage to take full control of MKO relations, they can use information of separated members and classify Ashraf residents accordingly. Undoubtedly, there are many MKO members in camp Ashraf that are willing to leave the organization and MKO former members can help Iraqi officials in identifying these individuals. It may lead to the interaction of Iraq with MKO members according to their characteristics and organizational order.
3. The possibility of giving information to Ashraf residents by separated members.
The relation of separated members with Ashraf residents at least leads to the weakening of mental and political bounds imposed on Ashraf residents. The quitters can draw a clear and real picture of the present and future conditions for the remnant Ashraf residents. The role of face to face dialogue is of utmost importance in this regard.
4. The possibility of identifying leaders and key members of organization for separating them from rank and files. Although Iraqi officials have managed so far to identify some MKO leaders, but due to the organizational complexity of MKO it is believed that there are many more unknown leaders and no one but MKO members can identify them. The separated members can help Iraqi officials in revealing the identity of MKO’s leaders to be isolated from the rank and files.
5. Receiving primary information on the degree of human tragedy and violent reactions of Mojahedin.
The issue of human tragedy is now the most serious threat posed by Masoud Rajavi and the presence of some key members like Mrs. Batool Soltani of the Leadership Council may help Iraqi officials to get information on the quality and quality of this threat. There are also some other aspects in which MKO former members can help Iraqi official to attain a better understanding of the true nature of Mojahedin.
References
1. Singer, M. Thaler, Cults in Our Midst, JOSSEY-BASS ,A Wiley Imprint, 2003, XV.
2. ibid, 289