Source: Al-ghabas daily, Kuwait
February 23, 2009
Today, more than ever before, the civilized world has come to realize the legitimacy of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in representing their people and their legitimate rights in a democratic and civilized Iran among other nations in the world.
… After the EU court ruling it has become clearer for the world who the real victim is. The 27-member EU’s decision to take the PMOI off its list of terrorist organizations was only made possible by a realization of the PMOI’s innocence and the legitimacy. … The removal of the allegation from the organization automatically translates into the lack of legitimacy for the Iranian regime in Tehran.
At last the world woke up and adopted its decision in Europe, and now it stands with the PMOI and Ashraf City residents in Iraq. … This solidarity will continue to strengthen. While the world takes a stand for the PMOI’s rights and the suffering of its members in Ashraf City, we expected civilized political positions from countries in the region and especially neighboring Arab countries which have been burning in Tehran-inspired flames and fundamentalism. … We expected all those who fought for freedom to know that the legitimacy of their achievements results from the legitimacy of their struggle, and so they must acknowledge the legitimacy of their struggle. Iraq’s political maturity list is still awaiting many of the politicians and parliamentarians who would support this reality and role.
But, Mr. [Muwaffaq] al-Rubaie continues to lead the campaign against these values and gets rather closer to the list and ideology of Tehran. Everyone must understand that the PMOI’s presence in Iraq in itself limits the Iranian regime’s role, hostile acts and pressures on the Iraqi government.
It appears that Mr. al-Rubaie is alone in his decisions. He expresses enthusiasm towards a suppressive Tehran which even cracks down on him and his colleagues. In the inner circles, there are also those who oppose him. In this regard, we regard Massoud Barzani, the governor of the Iraqi Kurdistan and president of the Kurdish Democratic Party, as very clear, progressive and principled. A Kuwaiti reporter asked him “What is Kurdistan’s position regarding this issue especially since you as Kurds have tolerated pain and suffering like everyone else?” He said in response, “We oppose forced hand over of anyone (PMOI) or their forced expulsion to Iran. Finding a solution to their problem is within the purview of the federal government. We will certainly support whatever decision the federal government adopts in this regard, on the condition that it does not include forced extradition or forced displacement” (al-Ghabas and Kurdistan satellite TV, November 5, 2008).
But, we do not know how Mr. al-Rubaie, the Iraqi National Security Advisor, dared to go to Tehran and speak about the PMOI’s hand over to the Iranian government and closure of “Ashraf” as soon as possible…. Indeed, what is the motivation for all this kowtowing and flattering of the Iranian regime? Is it because of a previously agreed upon deal? Is it paying a debt? Or perhaps it is to create a common identity and fate, or something even beyond all these.
This position forced the Iraqi government spokesman, who is well aware of his government’s obligations towards the international community and the US, to announce that, “The government will not forcefully expel the Iranian opposition from Iraq” (The Associated Press, January 24, 2009). Moreover, President Talebani immediately intervened and announced that, “Brother Muwaffaq al-Rubaie has no authority to express this position since he is not a government spokesman. We have Dr. Ali al-Dabbagh who is the official spokesman”(al-Arabya TV, January 30, 2009).
The important comments of Mr. Baha al-Araji, Member of Parliament from the Sadr movement, are also noteworthy. He said, “Dr. al-Rubaie is not an Iraqi employee, but has a contract with the American government, and even his budget and salary come from the American government and not the Iraqi government. So, he is a US employee who is in Iraq, and at the same time he is affiliated with the Badr organization. For this reason, he is confronted with a dual authority. When the Badr organization or the [Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq] want to do something for Iran they make him do it.”
It is noteworthy that during his trip to Tehran no one accompanied him except members of his own office. Moreover, in the first few days of the trip there were some ambiguous words in his language, but as the days passed his fervor flourished and he turned into someone with hostile words. God knows what went on behind the scenes!
Al-Rubaie’s story does not end in Tehran. … He came back to Iraq with the same degree of fervor he expressed in Tehran in order to implement his agenda. He had a meeting with some ambassadors from foreign countries which of course included the Iranian ambassador in Iraq, Mr. Hassan Kazemi Ghomi, who according to the former commander of the Multi-National Force-Iraq, David Petraeus, is a member of the terrorist Qods Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Of course, Mr. Ambassador accompanied al-Rubaie during his trip to Tehran. Then, al-Rubaie attended a news conference in which he said: We told the ambassadors that the government has decided definitively to close down this camp (Ashraf City) at the earliest opportunity (al-Sumariya TV, January 27, 2009). And, as if he has made a unique discovery, he announced what the Iranian regime has for many years repeated, that, “Iranian officials express their readiness to issue passports and visas to PMOI members who are in Baghdad” (al-Qods daily, February 9, 2009).
It is clear that the Iran is ready not only to issue passports and visas for those who agree to become its spy, but that it is also prepared to grant them with all sorts of financial and non-financial backing.
Now, what “crime” has the PMOI committed? Is it that they are refuse to be buddies with the Iranian regime? Is it that their presence in Iraq is essentially due to their opposition to this regime and also opposition to torture, hanging, and suppression of people, which the regime continues to carry out in order to instill fear in society and compel people to surrender to it?
The PMOI wants its country to be part of the international community and shed its current disrepute, which has made Iran synonymous with fanning the flames of crises, export of terrorism, bombings, and meddling in other countries’ affairs.
The Iraqi government must refuse to give in to Iran’s pressure and its proxies in Iraq after the PMOI’s removal from the list of terrorist organizations. It must comply with its obligations regarding prevention of forced displacement of the PMOI and guaranteeing their rights in view of their more than 20-year presence in Iraq.
Editor's note: the above are excerpts from Arabic text