Arab-Islamic Committee in Defence of Ashraf Residents
21 Augusts 2012
United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon
As you know, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance announced in her August 17 statement that as a sign of goodwill, Ashraf residents will soon start the relocation of the sixth convoy. On behalf of the Arab-Islamic Committee in Defense of Ashraf, we admire and are grateful for this courageous decision. This decision has brought within sight hope of realization of a peaceful solution for Ashraf crisis.
This decision broke the deadlock created for the last three and a half months by Iraqi government’s failure to agree to the minimalist 8-point humanitarian requests of the residents; and the decision has reduced the prospect of violence by the Iraqi government due to the forceful relocation of Ashraf residents.
Therefore, at this point, the United Nations, the United States of America, UN High Commission for Refugees, and the UN Human Rights Commission have direct responsibility in taking complimentary actions in this peaceful process.
In this regard, we emphatically request that you:
1. Ask the Iraqi government to announce its full agreement to the minimalist 8-point humanitarian requests of the residents including the following:
– Full agreement with Liberty’s water project for which the residents have so far paid $2.5 million;
– Solving the electricity problem by allowing the transfer of generators, especially the 6 main generators;
– Selling of Ashraf residents’ properties, since they have no other source of income;
– No more obstructionism by the Iraqi government for transfer of a number of mini-buses, water and sewage tankers, or lift trucks, and minimum constructions.
2. Ask the United States and Mrs. Clinton to keep its promise and quickly remove the MEK from the foreign terrorist organizations list, because supporting the safety and security of the residents until the time of relocation to third countries outside Iraq will not quickly occur without removal from the list.
3. Call on the European Union to announce the readiness of the member states for admitting the residents as soon as possible.
Sid Ahmed Ghozali
Former Prime Minister of Algeria
President of the Arab-Islamic Committee in defense of Ashraf
