NCRI – The Estonian member of the European Parliament, Tunne Kelam, wrote to the Iraqi President to condemn terrorist bombing of a bus carrying workers to Ashraf City and called on him to guarantee security for the People’s Mojahedin, the main opposition to Iran’s clerical regime, in Iraq. Text of his letter is as follows:
“I was informed through the international news agencies that yesterday morning a passenger bus that was carrying a number of Iraqi workers to Ashraf City, where People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran is housed, was blown up in the vicinity of the Iraqi town of Khalis. This terrorist attack left 13 dead and 15 wounded some in critical condition.
“Allow me before all to express my deepest condolences to the families and relatives of’ those who lost their lives in this barbaric act.
“Victims of this attack were innocent workers who worked in Ashraf City and the crime came only a day after the visit to Iraq by the Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchchr Mottaki. I strongly believe that this criminal act is a retaliation by the regime for Mojahedin’s revelations over Iranian nuclear program and also retaliation against Iraqis for their support for the Mojahedin in Ashraf.
“The Iranian regime has retaliated in other ways in the past by cutting off food supplies, fuel, water and power for Ashraf residents since last September. These acts including the recent blast is an indication of escalation of the Iranian regime’s meddling in Iraqi affairs at the time when the international community is demanding peace and calm in that tormented nation.
“While condemning the recent anti-human act which resulted in the death of innocent Iraqi workers, I am writing this to urge your Excellency to take all the necessary steps to ensure the security and safety of’ the Mojahedin in Ashraf. Considering the fact that Ashraf residents have the status of protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention and according to international law. I believe it is time that the Iraqi government grants PMOI personnel in Ashraf political asylum.”
