al-Babelyia TV, May 3, 2009
Question: The European Parliament has demanded that the Iraqi government respect the residents of Camp Ashraf, located in the Diyala province northeast of Baghdad, and treat them in accordance with the 1951 Geneva Conventions. The European Parliament, which represents close to 500 million people, has underscored the imperative of allowing food and medical supplies to reach Camp Ashraf. After the European Parliament’s proposals, do you think that there is a probability for the Iraqi government to take a stance on this issue?
Nezar al-Samerai, Iraqi political analyst: There are divisions within the current administration in Baghdad on this matter. Parties involved in the political process suffer from further differences arising from the case of Camp Ashraf, which belongs to the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Muwaffaq al-Rubaie is the most recognized figure, who has not only called for Camp Ashraf’s closure, but has also imposed pressures on the camp through his repressive actions. … The present government in Baghdad cannot play its instruments out of tune. … The PMOI is a peace-seeking organization and is opposing a suppressive and tyrannical regime [ruling Iran]. I think if the current Iraqi administration wishes to establish relations with the Western world, it must implement political and legal decisions, especially the recent European Parliament resolution. … A decision on Ashraf is not solely the responsibility of this or that Iraqi administration. It is a decision with global reach and has an international and legal umbrella based on binding international agreements applicable to all sides. Currently, Camp Ashraf enjoys international support, especially due to the European Parliament’s decision to seriously monitor its situation. If someone were to try to alter Camp Ashraf’s legal status on the basis of the dictates and directives of the Iranian regime, then they would have to face off with the entire international community which is standing on the side of Camp Ashraf.