"MKO’s expulsion from Iraq is underway," said Iraqi ambassador to Iran, Mohammed Majid Al-Sheikh in an interview with Mehr News.
Following a meeting with the secretary general of Habilian Association in Mashhad Seyed Javad Hasheminejad, Mr. Sheikh talked to Mehr News and said:
"The scheduled plan of the government to restrict the terrorist MKO and expel its elements from Iraq shows the faithfulness of the government to its promises on fighting terrorism."
Mehr News, – August 19, 2006
The head of Iraq’s SCIRI described the Mujahidi Khalq organization as an “illegitimate and unconstitutional one.”
The leader of the Iraqi Ruling Parliamentary Majority Abdel-Aziz Al-Hakim told KUNA in an interview that Iraqi authorities and the Iraqi public were determined to maintain good relations with Kuwait. He said Kuwait and the Iraqi opposition forces were on the same side against the former regime. He cautioned against a civil war spearheaded by the takfiris (those who treat their political opponents as infidels to the Islamic faith) and the Saddamists (those loyal to the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein). He said he, “and many Iraqis,” shared the same concerns as US President George W. Bush over the risks of political disintegration in Iraq as a result of continued terrorist attacks. But he said the ruling majority was doing its best to avoid civil war. He said that the issue of turning Iraq into a confederacy would be dealt with at the upcoming session of the National Assembly. He declined to delve into the outcome and make-up of any possible cabinet reshuffle.
Turning to the issue of any shortcomings in the current government led by Nouri Al-Maliki, he said he could not confirm or deny any report of shortcomings in the services sector. He praised the current trial of Saddam Hussein over the Al-Anfal massacres of Iraqi Kurds. “This trial is one of the best in the world in so far as its standards of fairness are concerned,” he said.
On the issue of the dialogue called for by the ruling majority between the US and Iran over Iraq, he said that the call was made and it was unfortunate that the dialogue did not materialize so far.
He described the Mujahidi Khalq organization as an “illegitimate and unconstitutional one.”
KUNA – 2006/08/24
MKO’s irresolvable crisis- that has happened to this group after the fall of Saddam- has nothing to do with the new Iraqi government or the pressures from Iran (despite all propaganda by the MKO); instead, the presence of terrorist and murderous gang of Rajavi in Iraq, which received legitimacy from the toppled dictator, is illegal from international viewpoints and should be reviewed.
In other words, the presence of MKO in Iraq was a part of Saddam’s plans against Iran and was not related to the world’s refugee regulations. Everyone knows that the relations of the MKO with the former regime was not an ordinary relationship; in fact, as Rajavi says himself "there were strategic ties between the two".
So, regime change in Iraq (in any case) could lead to the current situation for the MKO; it could also lead to reviewing the status of MKO. Even, according to some reports, some Baathist commanders and Saddam deputies didn’t agree with MKO’s staying in Iraq after the war and believed they should be extradited to Iran; the only person who prevented this was Saddam Hussein himself.
However, now that Saddam has been ousted and occupying forces are protecting the MKO, the situation is a bit different:
1. The legal status granted to the MKO by occupiers doesn’t meant that the MKO members are refugees in Iraq; in fact, this status prevents their extradition and helps them ask the UNHCR for refugee status.
2. Requests for getting refugee status should be handled by UNHCR, which reviews the requests and tries to find another country for the people. It can’t decide independently on the issue.
3. Only in the case of the agreement of Iraqi government, and only through the UNHCR, MKO members may be given refuge in Iraq.
4. MKO presence in Iraq is not legal at all, and this is the major problem for this group.
What has happened now in this regard is as follows:
1. Iraqi government has expressed its absolute disagreement with the presence of MKO in Iraq.
2. International organizations are waiting for the right time to come in order to start determining the fate of MKO members in Camp Ashraf.
3. Terrorist MKO, witnessing the imminent expulsion from Iraq, claims that its presence in Iraq is legal so as to put Iraqi government before international organizations in order to take advantage of the situation.
When forcing the occupying forces to stand before the Iraqi government proved to be of no use for the MKO, this terrorist group tried to force international organizations to stand before the government.
Shortly, the roots of MKO’s current problems in Iraq should be sought in its 25-year illegal presence in Iraq, which can’t be justified at all.
Irandidban – 2006/08/12
In an interview published in Washington Post on 10 June 2006, Kamal Hamdoun, the head of Iraq’s lawyers’ union, deplored the dominant anarchy in Iraq saying: "We are living in terror. For example, I’m unable to move around freely. And there’s a gun in my drawer". He had further explained that "The control of the jungle is for those who have claws and fangs".
Now, nearly 50 days after his complaint against the Iraq’s chaotic situation, Mr. Hamdoun leaps forward enthusiastically to advocate Mojahedin Khalq’s presence in Iraq saying “No one can strip them of this right without a legitimate legal argument”.
Reported by NCRI website, Mr. Kamal Hamdoon, in an interview with Mojahedin’s television station, announced:
The rights of PMOI members have been recognized based on international conventions and the UN Charter, and we at the Iraqi lawyers’ League are with them to the end… The Mojahedin were granted political asylum status in the past. No one can strip them of this right without a legitimate legal argument. Recent remarks by some Iraqi officials against the Mojahedin have no legal or religious basis.
Mr. Hamdoun has to be reminded that the “recent remarks by some Iraqi officials against the Mojahedin” do have legal basis because they are the words of the Iraqi legal Prime Minister and the cabinet. For sure, not all honorable, Iraqi lawyers share your opinion because they are well aware that the only way to end conflict and disorder in a war-torn country is to disband the terrorist groups. Mr. Hamdoun is recommended to refer to the list of the proscribed groups and entities for more information if he is in doubt.
If Mr. Hamdoun still insists on his previously stated comment that "The control of the jungle is for those who have claws and fangs", let’s imagine he is living in a depicted jungle of himself, and advocates the law of the jungle over the canon and sanctioned laws for the practice of justice, then, we should congratulate Mr. Hamdoun for having found the best ones with “claws and fangs" to have along. Mojahedin’s atrocities against Iraqi people in Saddam’s time prove them to be the most prefect choice to cause chaos and to fan the flames of turbulence. Be tolerant of the Iraqi authorities’ wisely made decision.
mojahedin.ws – A. Afshar – August 6, 2006
The comments of Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki on the terrorist organization of MKO have received great attention from Arab media:
ILAPH, quoting Al-Zaman, London, Ali Ayel
www.elaph.com/ElaphWeb/NewsPapers/2006/7/163861.htm
Nuri al-Malki the prime minister of Iraq warned 5000 MKO members (now in a camp in Iraq under US supervision) to look for a third country and leave iraq as soon as possible.
In this regard, Iraqi PM said: "the first step for Iraqi government to take is to ban MKO members from entering Iraq’s governmental institutions and organizations to distribute their statements. In addition, MKO members shouldn’t be allowed to leave their camp in Dyala province."
In a press conference in Baghdad, Maliki said the government had discussed the issue of MKO’s presence in Iraq. Referring to the fact that MKO is considered a terrorist group, Maliki said its presence in Iraq contradicts Iraqi constitution.
American forces have disarmed and restricted the members of the group. After their disarmament, Iraqi governing council ordered the expulsion of MKO and extradition of its members to Iran.
"After security services released a report on the activities of this group, government discussed the issue of MKO’s presence in Iraq and the relation of this issue to political-security situation," Maliki added.
He added that "MKO interferes in social and political issues as if it’s an Iraqi organization while it’s a terrorist organization and the presence of this group in Iraq contradicts the constitution. We have made decisions in this regard."
Iraqi PM also pointed to the formation of a special committee to follow the issue and make decisions on scheduling this group’s expulsion.
Al-Naba’:
www.annabaa.org/nbanews/58/150.htm
It seems that Nuri al-Maliki, Iraqi prime minister, has reached a firm decision on armed groups, because for the first time he openly talked about the situation of MKO in Iraq and its interferences in country’s internal affairs.
Despite being on US terror list, this group enjoys the support of some Americans.
Al-Khalij:
www.alkhaleej.ae/articles/show_article.cfm?val=287753
Al-Maliki stops the MKO
Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, said his government will soon take proper measures against the armed Iranian opposition group in Iraq.
He said he won’t allow the group to issue statements or its members to leave their camp.
He also reported of the formation of a committee for determining the status of this group in Iraq.
Arabic BBC:
www.alkhaleej.ae/articles/show_article.cfm?val=287753
Maliki accused the MKO of interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs.
In a press conference he said that MKO, which acts against Iran, is openly and widely interfering in Iraq’s political and social affairs.
"In addition, this group is a terrorist organization and its presence in Iraq violates Iraqi constitution," he added.
Maliki said his government has decided to take action against MKO.
A number of other articles on the issue can be accessed through the following addresses:
Global Netherlands (arabic.rnw.nl/data/2006/news/207200618.htm)
Aljazeera (www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CE78BD5A-618C-46D3-A8EC-457874F6DEEF.htm)
Al-Bawabe (www.albawaba.com/ar/news/250074)
Middle East Online (www.meo.tv/?id=39737)
Al-Ghad (Jordan) (www.alghad.jo/?news=109172)
Al-Shabibah newspaper (www.shabiba.com/newsdetails.asp?newsid=32189&catgid=4)
Irandidban – 2006/07/25
Iran’s Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Kazemi Qomi conferred on Friday with Iraq’s Deputy Interior Minister for Security Affairs Shirvan Vaeli on issues of mutual concern.
At the meeting, the Iraqi official said Mujahedin Khalq rganization (MKO) who have hatched numerous plots against the Iraqi nation must be expelled from the country.
"We are now preparing a comprehensive plan which requires approval of the government to expel the MKO from the country by the year end," he said.
"We strongly follow up the case because the MKO seeks to hatch plots against the Iraqi nation which has angered the Iraqi people," he underlined.
Officials at International Committee of the Red Cross and the United States have been informed of the need to take action to drive MKO out of Iraq, he underlined.
IRNA – Baghdad, July 22,
"Terrorists, mostly from Baathists and the members of terrorist MKO, try to divide Shia and Sunni muslims and to ignite the fire of clashes between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens living in Dyala province," said Taha Dor’ Al-Sa’di, representative of Dyalah people in Iraqi parliament.
He pointed to the destructive role of MKO in the region, adding: "The former regime used this group to suppress the Kurds in the north and Shias in the south during 90s. After the ouster of regime, this organization took advantage of instability to boost its position in the country."
"The presence of this group in Iraq harms both Iran-Iraq relations and honor of Iraqis."
"Iraqi governing council approved a decision to expel the members of MKO from Iraq but the decision has not been executed yet. It’s now the time to put it into practice and expel the people who killed Iraqi people. As the representatives of Iraqi people, we will do our best to expel them although there are some in the parliament who back this group," he went on to say.
This member of Iraqi parliament also declared: "American forces don’t care about the security issues in Dyala province; this has raised questions because the terrorists in this province don’t target American forces anymore while tens of Iraqi citizens are being killed each day. US forces support professional terrorists and when they Iraqi security forces arrest such people, Americans release them."
"Iraqi Unity Coalition has asked the parliament to form a committee to prevent violence and improve security situation in Dyala because massacring people, terror and kidnapping happens on daily basis and more than 1000 families have left this region," he added.
Then he referred to the death of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi and said: "His successor is also in this province and more than 1000 terrorists, including Baathists and MKO members, have scattered around the region conducing terrorist operations."
"There are good relations between the followers of different religions in various parts of Dyala and tribal people try to prevent terrorism."
Al-Alam news channel – 2006/07/18
In a speech made in a rally organized by NCRI, Mojahedin Khalq Organization’s (MKO) political wing active in France, in Paris on July 1, 2006 Dowlat Nowrouzi, NCRI’s UK representative, referred to the organization’s widely advertised claim of 5200000 Iraqi people’s supporting MKO’s presence in Iraq and stated that “the organization shares common strategic interests with Iraqi people in accomplishment of peace and democracy”. Her words, a clear MKO’s paradoxical stance, are an affront to Iraqi people. She seems to have a weak memory to remember that MKO’s settlement in Iraq was the outcome of a made alliance with Saddam who led a dictatorial, tyrannical rule over Iraq and that, MKO acted as his mercenaries to suppress peoples’ freedom-seeking moves in Iraq.
How she has found “common strategic interests” is a question Nowrouzi should give an answer to, something she never does as it is Mojahedin’s convention. If it means sympathizing with Iraqi people’s struggle to accomplish demands of democracy and freedom pursuant to the country’s religious, cultural, and traditional conventions, no doubt, MKO’s strategy has proved to be in absolute contradiction with that of people. The group’s stance towards Iraqi political bodies and parties after Saddam’s fall and its policy of advocating disorder to survive in no way comply with peoples demands.
Before anything else, Iraqi people in an abundantly clear voice cry out for Saddam’s just trial for his overt and covert crimes done against the nation. MKO have yet shunned taking a clear position meaning they, too, bore the sin of a close collaboration with the fallen dictator whom they regarded, according to evidences, brother beyond a patron. The existing evidences unveil that Nowrouzi’s words are exactly the same as those that once were addressed to Saddam and his generals by Massoud Rajavi. At timely, regular meetings with Iraqi army and intelligence officials, Massoud Rajavi again and again paid homage to Saddam and talked of the necessity of close cooperation to safeguard common interests. In the irrefutable videotaped meetings between Massoud Rajavi and General Saber, the head of Saddam’s Intelligence Services, once Rajavi stated:
As far as we are concerned I have only one thing to say. In my mind and in my heart, I cannot separate the account of our interests from your interests. They are exactly matching each other….The reality is that our interests match each other and are closely mixed together. *
For sure, the interests of MKO in the reign of Saddam matched that of the dictator which was in contrast to the interests of people. In fact, the only thing Saddam did not account and had no concern for were people and their interests. It is not amazing to see MKO undergoing a sudden change overnight; they call it “strategy”.
Who can deny Saddam’s horrible, gruesome cells in Abu-Ghurib prison where MKO enjoyed possession of a few granted cells to utilize as suppressive means against its dissidents? Dissidents were a challenge both for Iraqi regime and MKO and as Rajavi once stated:
Whatever is against you, it is obviously against us, and vice versa. Our security is one. When we receive a blow, it is to both of us.*
The notorious opportunist MKO fish in troubled waters not caring the least for the interests of Iraqi peoples. At the time when the presence of foreign troops has negatively affected Iraq and has escalated turmoil and disorder, MKO is under the protection of the US army. Known as uninvited gusts, MKO intrude in Iraq’s internal affairs and even meddled in the process of elections the same as the remnants of the ousted regime did. Once General Saber appreciated MKO’s standing by Saddam’s regime saying:
We have an Arabic proverb that says: Brothers show themselves in hardship. You supported us with the bodies of your fighters.*
Thus, they had proved to be pro-Saddam fighters. Can they now provide any proof of sharing common interests with Iraqi people? Neither Nowrouzi nor any other MKO insiders can possibly give a distinct answer to the question. Somebody should tell MKO that when the broad day reveals the facts, it is unproductive to bury your head in the sand.
*. The quotes are all from the English transcript of videotaped meetings between Massoud Rajavi and General Saber delineated by Iran-Interlink.com.
mojahedin.ws – Bahar Irani – July 8, 2006
While Iraqi people widely resist Mojahedin Khalq’s illegal settlement in Iraq because of the group’s close collaboration with Saddam’s Ba’ath regime and its atrocities against innocent Iraqi people, MKO propaganda machine reveal details of the gathering of some 10,000 Iraqis in Ashraf City in support of it. As reported by NCRI website, Iraqi Al-Haqa’eq daily on June 25, said that the people of Iraq declared their support for the PMOI by signing letters, petitions and issuing a legal and press release noting the support by 5.2 million Iraqi citizens.
Most of Iraqi popular dailies are well aware of MKO’s terrorist nature and never pay the least attention to MKO’s bragging that make a mountain out of a molehill. It is an act accepted by the cheap, local papers paid by the group. Iraqi Al-Da’wah, for instance, in its issue of 29 June on page 7 published an article by Karim al-Najjar criticizing those Iraqi newspapers that had covered the reports of claiming that 5 million Iraqis issued a petition demanding the government to support Mujahidin-e-Khalq Organization.
mojahedin.ws – 01/07/2006
Regarding the position of Dyala province in Iraq’s developments, one can understand why Saddam Hussein settled the MKO in this province.
One of the advantages of this province is that it houses Baath forces and pro-Saddam tribes who also work as a protective circle around MKO.
This advantage has been maintained and that’s why terrorists’ headquarters, and even the shelter of Zarqawi, is located in this province.
Hebheb region, where Zarqawi lived, is one of Baqubah districts next to Camp Ashraf. MKO was in touch with this region, and kept the contact even after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
After the ouster of Saddam, this region witnesses several events, the reason of which can be understood now.
After an increase in insurgency, Iraqi intelligence services and interior ministry focused on Diyala and Baqubah in particular. This focus was suspicious since most of insurgency took place in Fallujah and Al-Ramadi. However, Iraqi officials were looking for the roots of the problems in this region due to the intelligence.
This emphasis was so strong that even an analyst said he believed that pro-Iran Shiite forces were active in the region because of the presence of MKO in the same region!
On the other hand, influential figures from SCIRI, Interior Ministry and other units were assassinated in this province so that the intelligence war between Iraqi officials and Al-Qaeda members overtook military war.
Anyway, directing the US forces towards the shelter of Zarqawi and killing him, which was the result of months of intelligence operations, clarified many issues.
In this regard, Mojahedin-e khalq repeatedly tried to disrupt the operations of Interior Ministry in the province.
Once (in 2005), Mojahedin prepared a bulletin about the intelligence operations of Interior Ministry in Iraq and exposed all intelligence efforts for tracking Al-Qaeda members in Dyala only with this excuse that they considered these operations as threat for their organization!
They even went further and proposed the formation of a special security unit to control the province!
It’s notable that the brutal gang of Al-Qaeda, who kills everyone- from men and women, kids and … to Iraqi and non-Iraqi reporters and even the workers of Camp Ashraf (only because they were being escorted by coalition forces) – has done nothing against the residents of Camp Ashraf or the guards who protect it!
Zarqawi appreciated MKO officials for their efforts against Shiites and the forces of interior ministry and considered them as a potential army in the war against Iran; he conveyed satisfaction from MKO through Baathists.
Irandidban, June 19, 2006
