Source: Al-Siyasa Kuwaiti Daily, April 4, 2009
Following the downfall of former Iraqi government, Tehran's regime has achieved a lot in Iraq. It has gained much influence in Iraq, where the loyalty of some people to Iran appears to be more than to their own country.
Despite its vast influence in Iraq, Tehran is worried about a number of issues, including the presence of unarmed members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in City of Ashraf (Camp Ashraf).
Following the signing of U.S. – Iraq security pact, the Iranian regime’s concerns has escalated. To overcome the fears, the regime has increased pressure on the Iraqi government to at least achieve the lowest possible gain (demand a lot to ensure minimum gain).
Therefore, Iran summoned Dr. Mouwaffaq al-Rubaie, the Iraqi National Security Advisor, to tell him what is required to retain some dignity, if possible. This is when threats by Iraq’s "National Security" chief to isolate the people who are protected by international law and Iraqi – U.S. pact, the aggression on Ashraf City residents and its visitors began; All sorts of harassments were exercised. Iranian visitors were not allowed to see their family members in Ashraf. They had to stay for days in cold weather waiting for al-Rubaie’s "mercy" to allow them to enter Ashraf. In this regard, "National Security" Advisor claimed that the Camp leadership did not allow visitors to have access to their families while he implicitly recognized the existence of oppressive security measures that has turned the City into a prison. The security officers witnessed how the people in charge of the camp sympathize with visitors and seek to resolve their problems in living with the pain and anguish.
In any case, Iranians returned home without being able to visit their families and their hearts were filled by grief and pain inflicted on them by the Iraqi forces. These did not comply with minimum standards of humanitarian or historical ties.
Today, following the growing cries of solidarity with Ashraf, there is an urgent need to establish a fact-finding commission. However, Mr. Rubaie tried to justify such practices by saying that the PMOI has to choose between the "departure from Iraq to their own countries of origin or move to a desert far from the border with Iran."
He went on to say "Iraq is not a place for them, take them to Europe or America, we are looking into finding an alternative place in the west, or south of Iraq, a place of living, that there will be in a camp," referring to the possibility of housing them in military bases vacated by U.S. forces in the desert of Anbar, or near Samawah.
"European countries refuse to take the Monafeqin (the term used by Iranian regime to refer to PMOI) into their own countries," said Khamenie implying in conclusion that the decision must be implemented, meaning to cut off the heads of the PMOI members in Ashraf!
In fact, members of the PMOI residing in Ashraf are "protected persons” under international laws and the Fourth Geneva Convention and they have lived in Iraq for more than 20 years. Their residence and their actions are quite clear and they are not in a secret rebellion here and there.
We repeat our call once again for an end to this senseless campaign led by the Iranian regime. We reiterate that based on international conventions the series of restrictions imposed on residents of Ashraf City and repeated threats against them must stop. This is neither in the interests of the Iraqi people nor all the defenders of rights and justice anywhere in the world.
Ncr-Iran. org Editor's note: This is the English translation of the article published in Arabic