Source: Al-Qabas, Arabic Language Kuwaiti daily, April 11, 2009
Iran has never seen an organization, movement or political party quite like the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). It is the only political movement that has preserved its cohesiveness and managed to survive through several decades, despite local and international circumstances and complexities, and despite the Iranian government’s policy of heavy handed intelligence and security punches which are designed to specifically target this organization.
With its organizational and ideological prowess, the PMOI has become a formidable Iranian movement, even while other famous parties, such as the Communist Tudeh Party which reached their peak in the 1950s and later, disintegrated and failed. Likewise, the Kurdish Democratic Party fell victim to the assassination of its founder, Dr. Abdolrahman Ghasemlou, in Vienna which was planned by the Iranian Qods Force. Despite some local opportunities for the KDP’s success, it failed to survive. So, what is the secret to the PMOI’s success?
The PMOI came into existence in the midst of the revolutionary era against the shah. Its organizational structure was almost eliminated by the SAVAK [secret police], which at that time was the largest intelligence and security apparatus in the Middle East and among the developing countries. Massoud Rajavi spent a long time in the notorious Evin prison, and became the historical leader of the organization, safeguarding its unity and sense of dynamism.
The organization was not completely isolated from coordinating with the Khomeini movement during the revolution that overthrew the shah. However, Khomeini’s movement immediately tried to get rid of the PMOI after the revolution, because it had felt the threat of its existence, organizational capacity, and influence on young Iranian minds. As a result, it turned against the organization and described it as a hostile movement with an anti-Khomeini agenda. The organization fell victim to vicious attacks aimed at annihilating it and purging its leaders. This led most of the leaders, chief among them Massoud Rajavi, to leave Iran in the early 1980s. He was able to pass though all the security measures at the airports, and board a specially designated plane in complete secrecy, which then took him to Paris. After fighting against the shah, fait had it that he must now mount a struggle against Khomeini.
Through Iraqi Territory
During the armed conflict between Iran and Iraq and after an Iraqi initiative, the organization sent several thousand of its men and women to Iraq in order to establish a military and security wing there, which took in more than 6,000 people.
The organization moved its headquarters to Baghdad in order to chart a long and decisive path in the battle against the Iranian ruling regime, which was a record holder of intimidating the world and causing troubles for it. In a short period of time, the organization’s leadership and members proved an exceptional credibility in practical action and influence. To stay fair to the movement, one must underline some of the real characteristics of it. It has proved the independence of its decision making process and its commitment to such independence, despite its presence on a territory with a highly centralized government which was very sensitive to its security challenges.
Distinct Characteristics
Contrary to what has been claimed, the PMOI has never carried out even a single operation as part of the Iraqi ground forces against Iranian forces. Its operations were completely separate and had a special nature. Its units were never integrated into Iraqi units. Its personnel never participated in any Iraqi operations, even as individuals. During the war, both the PMOI and the Iraqis were very cautious to maintain a demarcation, and relied on a high level of coordination with an acceptable security arrangements with the Iraqi leadership.
By refraining from interfering in the affairs of the state and the security philosophy, the organization gained the confidence of the Iraqi leadership and the president as well as the security organ. There was no sign of any negative approach toward public security. It did not establish unofficial contacts with any of the leaders and important organs, and did not seek to obtain intelligence about Iraq’s circumstances or contacts which would have caused concern. Contrary to some famous organizations, movements and figures, this movement was incredibly well protected not only against the Iranian organs’ intelligence infiltration but also from any other international attempts. And this situation played a role in creating trustworthy relations between the organization and the Iraqi leadership and organs.
The healthy security situation was not a temporary thing. Thousands of people poured in from around the world not for a vacation, but rather they left their secure and comfortable lives in Europe for a dangerous life [in Iraq], which not only saw a face-to-face confrontation, but also aerial bombardment and missiles targeting their places of residence outside of war zones. Most of the organization’s weaponry was obtained from the Iranian side. The Iranian forces were either weak or sympathetic to the PMOI operations, and so the organization had no record of defeat during the years of war.
Iron Discipline
Most of the PMOI members are civilians, and perhaps the number of non-civilians was very small. But they received attention because these women and men had a sort of characteristic iron discipline and unlimited commitment. The problems associated with experiencing exile and the hardships of the activities did not expand among them. Compared to other voluntary movements, which during the most difficult times succumbe to the circumstances, their characteristics would become clear in their ability to confront the circumstances of life and death after 2003. Despite psychological pressures, their equipments were well maintained and protected. Their places of residence were incredibly tidy and regimented. Their demeanor was unusually calm, and they lived with each other in harmony and friendship. The contact between the members and leaders were regular and there was no sign of disunity and internal divisions and groupings. There was no dissent within the organization and no one expressed sorrow, hopelessness, or a desire to leave or escape.
Competent Leadership
The PMOI’s leadership has not only demonstrated its abilities during the times of war, but it has also shown its exceptional aptitude in the course of legal battles, which led the organization to its victory by removing its name from the list of terrorist organizations in Europe. The organization is capable of marshalling the force of the Iranian exile community, organize demonstrations, gatherings and carry out high level meetings at the international level. One of the most inspirational aspects of this is the organization’s financial independence during difficult times. It is believed that it has not received even a penny from any country, and relies on continuous individual aid from Iranians and other investments. But the point is that it does not suffer from financial strains. That is why its activities are ongoing and nonstop. Its public relations activities and its press coverage in various TVs and other forms of media are perhaps greater than many governments.
With these facts in mind, this organization is a serious threat for the Iranian regime. Therefore, Tehran has tried its best to remove it from Iraq. This is a difficult operation whose ultimate realization has not yet come. Intervention in other countries’ affairs is against international law, and Iran is clearly moving in this direction. It would be in Iraq’s interests to consider the case of the PMOI, first and foremost on the basis of humanitarian considerations, then political ones, and in the context of attempting to confront Iran’s pressures.
– General Wafiq al-Samerai, the former head of Iraqi military intelligence defected in 1994. In the new Iraqi government, he was the advisor to the President of Iraq until 2008.