Violent past AND peaceful present

Roadmap for the Foreign Terrorist Organizations List


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Violent past AND peaceful present
by Patrick Clawson
29-Apr-2008
 

Although the Foreign Terrorist Organizations list has a set of criteria for designating groups, there is little clarity in practice about the process for revocation. Even after organizations have renounced terrorism for many years, their designations persist without a clear explanation, and are based on the assumption that historical violence indicates future potential.

A November 2007 court ruling by the UK's Proscribed Organizations Appeals Commission (POAC) ordered the British government to remove the People's Mujahedeen of Iran -- known to the U.S. government as Mujahedeen-e Khalq (MEK) -- from its terrorist organizations list. This decision, along with a similar decision by the European Court of First Instance (a level below the European Court of Justice), and the mandatory review of the group's designation by the U.S. State Department in October 2008, provides an opportunity to evaluate how terrorist designation is assessed. According to the 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Protection Act, if no designation review is conducted during a five-year period, the U.S. secretary of state must determine whether a revocation is appropriate.

The Role of Non-Terrorist Criteria
Any designation review should be based only on terrorism issues, not on the general U.S. government view of the organization in question. If the decision to designate a group is made on foreign policy considerations rather than evidence, then the list will be branded as a political instrument, thus reducing its utility as a means for encouraging other governments to take action against certain terrorist organizations. This is what happened to the list of terrorism-sponsoring states, which simply looks like a set of countries the U.S. government does not like.

In the MEK's case, its designation should not be based on the group's political stance or worries about U.S.-Iranian relations, nor should it be a reward for its reports on Iran's nuclear activities. Over the past three years, the State Department's Country Reports on Terrorism have cited no alleged MEK terrorist activity since 2001, yet have increased allegations pertaining the group's non-terrorist activities. The 2007 edition of the Reports, due out by the end of April 2008, is bound to continue this trend.

These allegations -- support for the U.S. embassy takeover in Tehran in 1979, allegiance to Islamic Marxism, suppression of Iraqi Kurds and Shiites, participation in the oil for food scandal, and the self-immolation of its supporters during protests -- are not related to the legal criteria for terrorist designation and are probably meant to discredit the MEK. These allegations are irrelevant, and some are also based on contestable evidence. This example of irrelevant information reinforces the need for the State Department to create explicit guidelines by which it moves a group from designation to revocation.

Dealing with History
History plays an important part in terrorist designation, especially when considering groups that no longer participate in violent activity. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is one such example. The PLO clearly used to be a terrorist group, but now enjoys good relations with the United States. Since the PLO complied with the 1993 Declaration of Principles and renounced terrorism, the organization was not listed on the State Department's first edition of its Foreign Terrorist Organizations list in 1997 or in President Clinton's 1995 Executive Order 12947 on Middle East terrorism. Since the reevaluation of the PLO designation preceded the creation of the State Department list and the subsequent legislation regulating the process of review, the PLO case provides little insight into how revocation would occur under the current system.

In contrast, the November 2007 POAC ruling is a more recent and relevant example of terrorist designation review. In fact, the 144-page POAC ruling addresses the historical actions of the MEK in detail. Regarding the past seven years, the POAC finds,

"Whatever the accurate characterization of the organization's activities between 1980 and 2001, the position in 2006-2007 is radically different, and has been so since 2001…The [MEK] has conducted no military activity of any kind since about August 2001, whether in Iran or elsewhere in the world…This is attributable to a deliberate decision of the [MEK] made at an extraordinary congress held in Iraq in June 2001, namely, to abandon all military action (or activities) in Iran…There is no evidence that the [MEK] has at any time since 2003 sought to re-create any form of structure that was capable of carrying out or supporting terrorist acts. There is no evidence of any attempt to "prepare" for terrorism. There is no evidence of any encouragement to others to commit acts of terrorism…. The above factors, combined with the 5 years that had since passed since the summer of 2001, demanded the conclusion that continued proscription could not be lawfully justified."

Inherent in the POAC order to revoke MEK's designation -- an order the UK government is appealing -- are three principles: the organization's formal decision to renounce violence, the cessation of terrorist activity, and the five year period of peace. Perhaps the Department of State does not want to use these particular principles when re-evaluating a group's terrorist designation, but it should adopt a set of guidelines and explain them to the public. It should also explain how it applies those principles in each case; if the MEK is designated, some specific reasons should be given. Preferably, the State Department should provide a road map for what a designated group must do to be removed from the list. For the MEK, what, if anything, must it do to show it has renounced terrorism in practice as well as in theory.

Conclusion
While the State Department routinely reinstated MEK's designation as a terrorist group on April 8, it must do a more formal and in-depth review by October 2008. That review's decision should be based on two factors. First, the State Department should only decide if the group is or is not a terrorist group, and not bring in irrelevant information. The criteria should be used in an unbiased, professional manner, relying on evidence rather than prejudice or rumor.

Second, the decision should be based on clear set of rules regarding how the U.S. government revokes this kind of designation. At present, it seems that past terrorist activities -- no matter how old or far removed -- are susceptible to being interpreted as evidence of future potential, consequently justifying a group's continued designation. In contrast, the POAC has set forward several useful principles for evaluating an organization's violent past and peaceful present; the U.S. government should do the same.

Patrick Clawson is deputy director for research at The Washington Institute. This article was first published in Policy Watch.


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Of Terrorism & Terrorists!

by Killjoy (not verified) on

Speaking of the devil:

Iran tops state-sponsored terrorism
The daily Telegraph
30-Apr-2008
IRAN remained the world's "most active" state sponsor of terrorism as it tries to build regional influence and drive the United States from the Middle East, according to a US government report. >>>
recommended by zirak

Looking at how mullah-lovers are vehemently attacking their most dangerous enemies, the MEK, I thought this might help them cool off a bit!


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Win win situation for both iran and mojahedin...

by Anonymouss (not verified) on

The best situation is for mojahedin to remain in iraq and take iraqi citizenship. That way iran is guaranteed freedom from their islamic marxist ideology and they also have a country (iraq) to screw up. Only in this case BOTH iran and mojahedin win.

Once a decent government is in place in iran, ALL mullas and their supporters will be exiled to iraq as well, at which time, mullas and mojadein can deal with each other there as they please.

Viva iran without ANY ideology to precede it.


Mehdi

MKO sympathiser: Slogan Slogans Slogans

by Mehdi on

You conveniently evade all of my questions about MEK's bahavior and their actions and simply throw slogan. I suppose anybody who doesn't agree with your supreme leader is simply an agent of IRI and an enemy of "the people" and probably deserves to be "handled" with a gun. Isn't that the simple policy of the MEK so far?

If my arguments are so "immature" then it should be very easy to debunk them, right? Why didn't you? Instead you turn on the volume of your hatred emotion about anybody who happens to disagree with you.

Yes, I have secured peaceful and comfortable place for myself in the West. And is that a crime? Did the MEK did better for Iranians? Why don't you enlighten us how?

I asked very specifically why do you think the MEK was more beneficial to Iran and Iranians compared to those who joined Shah such as Hoveyda. And your reply? "Hoveyda was an element of that tyranny..." What tyranny are you talking about? The one imagined by the KGB? How do you figure Shah was a dictator? Because he didn't hand over the country to you?

When did I say I expect anybody to be sacrificed for me? Isn't that the position of the MEK? That all Iranians should bear the devestation of a catastrophic war with the US, who has been supplied with excuses by the MEK, because the MEK is worth it?

If I am telling lie after lie, why don't you expose one as an example? No, I think it is the MEK and the likes of them who have been lying all their lives. They started by lying about Shah and misrepresenting what was simply natural deficiencies of a country - any country - and when the country was practically destroyed in 1979 partly because of such ridiculous groups, they have been exaggerating and lying about some multi-headed mythical monster called "IRI" in order to create more havoc and destruction in the name os "people's uprising." Am I in deep sleep or you?

 

What has the MEK done that could be considered a help to our nation? Name ONE! Don't give nonsense about "fighting tyranny." Name one. Name who did you guys kill which helped Iran or the Iranians? Name one specific thing you guys did that was beneficial.


Majid

Sympathiser...

by Majid on

Don't worry about what I did  for Iranian people, there is one thing for sure that I DID NOT do!

I DID NOT betray them !

Now just answer one question if you would please:

What I said about the prison in Suleimaaniye is true or not?

OR better yet, answer it to yourself and see if you can still be a "sympathiser".The answer would tell all of us what kinda mindset YOU have. 


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Projecting onto MKO our defeatest views & drives

by Ali DC (not verified) on

Who else but Mojahedeen? Really, if you were to TRULY overthrow the criminal mullahs who else would be there but Mojaheedeen?

Ganji, Farokh Negahdaar, Khatami, are all tainted with blood on their hands. Reza Pahlavi is still the son of the former Shah and not yet independent enough to play any serious role. Who else? Titra Parsi, Ali Asghar Haaj Seyed Javadi, Karim Laheiji, Dariush Homayoun , so who? Let's not bore each other with showing the dirt on all of them.

If the question was who would be the next fastest sprinter in 2008 Olympics, would you say Danny Devito? No, Right? Because DD may be a great artist but he can't run 100 meters that fast.

Mojahedeen ate the most effective world political opposition with a disciplined army, foreign office, press etc. What they lack in economic credentials they have in military, intelligence, organizational accountability. Who else has done what they have done in the world?

Yeah, yeah, yeah blame it on Saddam's money. Saddam is gone 3 years. Mojahedeen are in the height of their power. Never in the past they have had this much power (regional, local, international).

All of that said, we need to limit Mojahedeen. Their charismatic leader and their ideology could really pick up in Middle East. We must be sure that the future Iran stands only on Modernity, individual rights and free enterprise. Absoluter and eternal separation Islam from government, right of Israel to statehood and peace in Middle East and a just and honorable closer to the issue of Palestine, anti discrimatory policies toward minorities, absolute rule of law & order, etc. etc are what we will all have to agree so the Iran of 2015 is free to chose her future.

These discussions could only be beneficial when the darkness and the disease of Islamic republic is washed away. Velayat Faghi is our national historical enemy. Persians Unite!!!!!

Free Iran, Iran 2015, Iranians Unite.


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Mehdi and Majid The more I

by MKO sympathiser (not verified) on

Mehdi and Majid

The more I hear such immature arguments the more I am convinced that MKO represents the REAL Iranians. You and your like need not worry about avenging. You guys have secured yourselves a safe and comfortable abode in the depth of the West and only philosophise from the comfort of your armchairs. The MKO were fighting the mullahs when you guys were enjoying your newly acquired freedom in the West. What have you done for Iran that expect others to be sacrificed for you. Hoveyda was an element of that tyranny not against it. He betrayed a nation and his paymaster by telling him lies after lies. At the end he got what he brought upon thousands of youths. You are too brainwashed by your American mentors that cannot tell the right from wrong any longer. Enjoy your deep sleep.


PMOI supporter

For all of you complaining

by PMOI supporter on

For all of you complaining about the PMOI, stop your WHINING!

They have not been convicted of any crimes and theres NO form of evidence from anyone on any side.

So you sitting here blabbering about treason and homicide and cults just won't get you people anywhere.

 

The iranian regime spends over $200 million each year on propaganda against the MEk, so why are you people wasting your breath?

The least you can do is register with the regime and get paid for your services!!!


Majid

What Khomeini said

by Majid on

Hazrat-e imam in Paris farmoodand : there will be no political prisoners in future Iran, which was half the sentence! the other half was "until I take control"! of course then he was doing "tagheeye" .

Now, in Suleimaaniye, Iraq  MEK has a prison for it's own members with little issues, questions or doubts about it's leadership!

Here is good news for Iran's future under MEK!!!!LOL

 

"Sar-e cheshmeh baayad gereftan be beel,

Cho por shod nashaayad gereftan be peel"!

So, thanks, but.... NO THANKS. 


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To Mr. Clawson [a couple points to consider]

by Mani321 (not verified) on

Mr. Clawson,

Is there a statute of limitation on being a terrorist? That certainly seems to be your whole argument for your support of the MEK terrorists. Fact is that they have:

> murdered US officials
> murdered Iranian officials and citizens both before and after the 1979 revolution
> killed Civilian Kurds under the orders of Saddam (one of the many bosses they have sold themselves to)
> tortured members of their own organizations to gain forced "confessions" of being IRI agents (so that they can use them against the members should they sway in their allegiance)
> the current structure and leadership of the MEK is the same as when they committed the above crimes of terror

Mr. Clawson, I'm sure that the MEK's well funded coffers are supporting you, as well as other stooges in DC. But have some shame and some self respect. The sooner you disassociate yourselves with these terrorists the better.


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What can a fundamentalist, Marxist, extremist group do for us?

by hanna (not verified) on

There is nothing that the MEK can do for us, Iranians; for the U.S. and Israel of course!!
And this is the entire agenda of the Ziocons? Clear the road for Israel and U.S. hegemony in the Middle East.

Nothing that the U.S. does is for the benefit of any country; we have seen what they have done in Iraq - thanks but no thanks.

We have had enough of U.S. intervention in Iran's affairs. We will deal with our own problems by ourselves and not in collaboration with any terrorist organization or government.

And if you are saying our only alternative is the MEK or the U.S. bombing Iran - then it says something about the U.S. not Iran. And once again demonstrates how the U.S. is trying to intimidate the Iranian people to accept their dictates! Bullies will always be bullies.

Never again are we going to allow any country to dictate anything to us; this was the reason there was a Revolution. The Iranian people have not tolerated this regime for 30 years to go back to where they were pre-1979, having a puppet leader report to the Americans.

Furthermore we will never agree to the U.S. philosophy: "What is mine, is mine, and what is yours, is mine."

Nop Sir, the times have changed!

We are pushing forward on our own terms for a progressive truly democratic secular country; and there is absolutely no room for a fanatical Marxist Islamic Group..

The U.S. can keep the MEK for their other covert operations, destabilizing other countries, and assassination of other world leaders. In fact the U.S. can keep the MEK, since the Gov. of Iraq considers them a threat to their security and wants them out!

Let's see if the American people will agree to house a terrorist organization with their tax dollars?

I would like to see if any of our presidential candidates, especially John McCain or Hillary Clinton will have the audacity to propose to their constituents whether they will agree to create a safe haven for the MEK in the U.S.?


Mehdi

To: MKO sympathiser

by Mehdi on

You say, "the blood of every slain single member of the Mojahedin will be avenged." Could you please tell us what this "avenging" is going to cost the Iranian nation? How many more youths will you have executed and blamed on some regime before we are done with our "avenging?" Oh, let me guess, that depends on the evil regime, right? the MEK is simply a victim. Everything was done to them. They are and have always been saints but unfortunately, they just didn't have luck. That must be it - luck. Life is so unfair to them.

You say "... the founding members of the MKO (MEK or PMOI) were fighting the tyranny of the Shah in the 1960's..." What a farse! What tyranny are you talking about? why didn't you guys help Shah like, as an example, Hoveyda did, instead? How is your actions preferred over his? What did you accomplish that he didn't (as an example)? How have you helped our nation and how did he destroy it?

Oh, let me guess again. The MEK is just a victim. It has always been victimized. The MEK has always done well but luck hasn't been on their side.

Get a life, man! Wake up from your brainwashed state! The Soviet has collapsed! Haven't you heard the news? Your masters are dead! No need to spread their false propaganda anymore.


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MKO is an integral element of Iran's political tapestry

by MKO sympathiser (not verified) on

Many of you were not even born, or were in your infancy when the founding members of the MKO (MEK or PMOI) were fighting the tyranny of the Shah in the 1960's. They made a tactical mistake in lining up with Khomeini to speed up the fall of the Shah but they erred and they have paid with their lives to make up for that err. Conservative estimates in excess of 6000 have been given by the international human rights organization in describing the genocide of 1988 committed by the IRI in which thosands of youngsters were put to death for bring resolute in their support for the MKO. Do you really think that tthe MKO will simply give up the fight and let the up-to-no-good moaners, like some on this page, go forth. Keep dreaming the blood of every slain single member of the Mojahedin will be avenged.


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Mr. Clawson seems to be uninformed about the MEK

by Anonymous-2 (not verified) on

The MEK has not renounced violence or terrorism

1. The State Department's terrorism report last year said the MKO maintains "the capacity and will to commit terrorist acts in Europe, the Middle East, the United States, Canada and beyond."

The report notes the MKO's "cult-like characteristics," such that "new members are indoctrinated in MEK ideology and revisionist Iranian history [and] required to ... participate in weekly 'ideological cleansings.' " Children are separated from their parents, it adds, and Mrs. Rajavi "has established a 'cult of personality.'

2. According to US Foreign Relations Committee Hearing in January 11, 2007

WITNESSES: THOMAS PICKERING, FORMER UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS

REP. TOM TANCREDO, R-COLO: It is just that, sir, and thank you.

Let me go from the strategic to the tactical in terms of the framework for our discussion here, both because of the time constraints and also because I think so much has been gained by the discussion to this point in time.

We've talked about the fact that the people in seem to be interested in regime change themselves. I think you put it, If the mullahs hate us as much as they seem to, then there must be something good about us, is the way many Iraqi people -- I mean the Iranians -- are looking at the situation today.

So if that is the case, then I hearken back to the situation we have with the MEK. And I wonder about whether or not it would not be in our best interest to take them off of the terrorist watch list, as they are certainly hated by the mullahs. And that is the one thing about which we are sure with regard to the MEK.

There are lots of, you know, gray areas, murky areas in the past, things we're not positive about in terms of their responsibility for certain actions 30 years ago. But in the last couple of decades, anyway, it seems to me that it is pretty clear that they are, as a political -- they are certainly not much of a military force, but a political force -- and they may not even be that to any great extent. But to the extent that they are operating as a group of people who are articulating an opposition to the present regime, they understand the culture. They understand the language.

We are protecting them in Camp Ashraf . Here's a group of people who are, in fact, on the terrorist watch list that we are protecting. Our troops are protecting them.

Wouldn't it be to our advantage to somehow use these folks in pursuit of our goals? And in order to do that, wouldn't it require their removal from that list?

LANTOS: Ambassador Pickering?

PICKERING : Yes, certainly. I'd be happy to answer the question. I think that the question is premised on the Middle East fundamental proposition, "The enemy of the enemy is my friend."

My view is that the MEK doesn't represent the kind of government we would like to see in their past actions -- and they're all documented fairly well -- in . To me, it would be a bigger burden.

And if the Iranian people knew what MEK had been doing in terms of its own activities and the way it behaved, particularly towards its own people, I think they, too, would see that as a negative rather than a positive.

Here is the respone from the U.S. State Department and a former U.S. Ambassador and former Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs!!


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MEK keep getting it

by down with MEK (not verified) on

MEK keep getting it wrong....

1. Support Khomeni and the much hated Islamic Republic come to power, smart move! should really be proud of this!

2. Get funding from Saddam Hussain and Iraq to fight Iranians?!?!

Now what? want more support to do what? Never forget the pictures of Rajavi with the likes of Khomeni, Arafat and Saddam Hussain...

Get a life MEK you are just a bunch of traitors, stay in Camp Ashraf, in your crazy cult and worship the Rajavi's, and dream on that any sane Iranian knowingly will support your organization other than those brain washed Rajavi lovers in camp Ashraf with their communist looking uniforms... wake up and smell the coffee... its over communisim, marxisim get a life and be normal.


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To: PMOI Supporter -

by Anonymous-2 (not verified) on

The Iranian people are nationalists. This goes for Iranians of all color whether religious or secular. One thing they detest and will fight for is any collaboration by any organization or group which aims at interfering in the internal affairs of Iran.. And PMOI, MEK, NCRI cannot refute this. You have collaborated with former dictator Saddam Hussein during his invasion of Iran.

You are currently collaborating with Israel, AIPAC, and Pro-Israeli Lobby and the neoconservatives pushing for further sanctions; and eliminations of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program; you have received funds and are in pursuit of further funds to arm yourself so that you can topple the regime. Iranians have no interest in any foreign power or organization interfering in their affairs. Exactly what the U.S. in collaboration with MEK, PMOI, NCRI aim to do.

The following is a Poll of the Iranian Public – A World Public Opinion Poll conducted in Partnership with Search for Common Grounds and the U.S. Institute of Peace – A Joint Program of the Center on Policy Attitudes and the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland Jan 16, 2007.

//www.usip.org/iran/iran_presentation.pdf

For your information at minimum what this independent research indicates is contrary to all of the slogans and beliefs of the MEK, PMOI, NCRI and the U.S. Gov. Policy. In fact 93% of the people surveyd oppose the U.S. Gov. Policy. I hope Mr. Clawson is reading!!

And you may want to focus on just one question: How do you think Iran is governed by representatives elected by the people: using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 means “not at all” and 10 means “completely” what position you chose: 6.9 was the response!

Whenever you provide us with an independent poll conducted by a reputable institution (not AEI, or other neocons groups, or paid funds by Israel to come up with such a study etc.) which demonstrates that the majority of Iranian people consider the MEK, PMOI, and NCRI as their representatives – then you have something to discuss. Up until then you are nothing but a tool of Iran’s enemies to conduct covert operation, destabilize Iran to impose U.S. puppets in Iran.

And by the way who gives NCRI the right to consider themselves Iranian-Parliament in Exile?

FYI; even Martin Indyk former Ambassador to Israel agrees that the MEK have no credibility with the Iranian people.

I am only providing you with Marin Indyk’s name, simply because he obviously should be one of your supporters.; since you and your front groups are being provided false and dubious information by Mossad and Israel about Iran's nuclear program, and other false information about Iran's involvement in Iraq and military supplies to Iraqi militias (with not one iota of proof). In fact all of these forged documents have infuriated Muhammad El Baradei the Director General of the IAEA; he considers them forged and not reliable.

But then what do you care, so long as the U.S. can have another “pretext” for an illegal invasion of another country in the Middle East and destroy Iran's infrastructure and kill millions of people, to impose a puppet leader; you guys are all for it.

After all you have collaborated with these groups in providing all the false intelligence to provoke the U.S. and Israel to take some action against Iran.

You think the Iranian people will ever embrace you with an open arm? If so it just shows that you have no clue about the Iranian mentality.

As for the U.S. and the neocosn if the only solution you can come up with is the MEK, then I feel sorry for the future of Iranian and American relations; you may as well kiss it goodbye!!


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Zionists and their agents are trying to ....

by . (not verified) on

In US, Zionists and their agents within the US government are trying to put a "human face" on criminal and terrorist acts of MKO. Iranians know their tricks.


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Iran's fate and MKO

by Alidc (not verified) on

Please calm down. Our mother land is burning. To all those who agree with us that IRI is Iran's number one enemy and that it must be overthrown, please shut the F... up and listen.

If a truck was coming your way at 100 miles an hour, would you speculate on the number of its tires and the possible intention of the driver, or would you get out of the way?

This is not about Mojahedin. This is about what Mujahedin can do for iran in the next 5 years. Iran has been around for a while and will hopefully stay around for sometime.

What matters not is your personal opinion, what makes the future is your action today. What matters is what you will do for Iran tomorrow today.

Mojees are part of this democratic anti khomeini front no doubt. Not Farokh Negahdar, not Akbar Ganji, but yes to a front of Iran's advocates. Not Titra Parsi types, but the real Parsis. Persians Unite!!!


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Ba mojAhedeen hamraH,

by Masoud Rajavi (not verified) on

Ba mojAhedeen hamraH, MoTTaki be mahrooman...Ba mojAhedeen hamraH, MoTTaki be mahrooman...Ba mojAhedeen hamraH, MoTTaki be mahrooman...Ba mojAhedeen hamraH, MoTTaki be mahrooman...


Jahanshah Rashidian

Who hates MEK

by Jahanshah Rashidian on

Two opposite groups of Iranians hate the MEK:

The first group rejecting it consists of democrat and secular Iranians, with different political ideas and norms. They absolutely reject any state with an Islamic name, colour, attitude or background.

The second group hating MEK are the IRI's supporters. They do not really care about the MEK's collaboration with the enemy, their Islamic cult aspect, and terrorist background. They attribute all these traits to MEK while are unconditionally supporting the IRI with the above traits and more blood of Iranians on the hands.

In reality, the MEK is a part of political Islam with a Stalinist and Islamic cult organisation. It is Islamic because of its all hideous aspects of gender segregation, sectarian exclusion, and systematic brainwashing; it is Stalinist because of its method of physical purging instead of ideological struggle.

And like any Islamic and Stalinist political entity, the MEK must be isolated or outlawed.
Also, its dissolving would politically help Iranians to better democratise and secularise their opposition in the future.


Fred

Deprogramming

by Fred on

Politically motivated postulating aside, there are reported to be upward of three thousand Iranians in the MEK camps in Iraq. Their deeds, along with those of the Islamist regime’s officials will one day in not too distant future be adjudicated by a fair and impartial judiciary in the democratic Iran. These poor souls have been used and abused by almost every one, from their cult leaders to the powers that have used and are currently using them as cannon fodder and lately, bargaining chips. Enough is enough, these human beings need to be resettled in the West where deprogramming for former cult members are available.


PMOI supporter

TO Anonymous-2:

by PMOI supporter on

Since when do you or this website become the entire iranian nation?

 

The people living in iran show their support of the MEk in their protests indirectly when they use mojahedin slogans such as:

"ma zano marde jangim, bejang ta bejangim"

- mojahedin slogan started from ashraf 10 years ago by sedighe hosseini,

 

just yesterday in tabriz hundreds of students purposely used this slogan in their protsts, as well as months earlier both in esfahan and tehran.

the washington times also interviewed several students from esfahan who expressed their support for the MEk.

So who are you to come here and give opinions on behalf of the iranian nation?


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MEK are terrorists and traitors to their country

by MEK are Traitors (not verified) on

The MEK are terrorists - it's that simple - they have murdered Iranians in cold blood. There are not a democratic institution but a fascist cult of personality. This is why the world thinks the US government is hypocritical - they talk democracy but then advocate a despicable, traitorous and despotic cult. Clawson, you're not Iranian, and have no clue about how Iranian within Iran feel about the MEK. So keep your out of touch and unintelligent analyses to yourself!!


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7 years is not enough to

by ABeLin (not verified) on

7 years is not enough to erase horrible past. US is still indicting Natzi's after 60 years. What matters is the baggage. The only way for MEK to clean their past is to dismantle their organization. just changing name to shoraye moghavemat melli or other things won't work. The only way is to break down the organization that is deep rooted in heinous acts.


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Clawson, MEK and bin Laden

by Mammad (not verified) on

One more point:

Would Clawson advocate working with Al Qaeda, if Osama renounces terrorism (which, in fact, MEK has never done)? I bet he would not, because Osama murdered innocent Americans.

So, why does he advocate the MEK? Because he does not give a hoot that the MEK has its hands the in blood of Iranians, Kurds, and Iraqi Shi'ites.


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Clawson is a supporter of terrorists

by Mammad (not verified) on

This is not the first time that Clawson supports terrorism.

In the past, Clawson has advocated creating industrial accident in the nuclear reactor in Bushehr, in order to prevent it from being used for making a nuclear bomb. The reactor cannot be used in any shape of form for bomb making, but Clawson would not give up, until an article by M. Sahimi, a well-known Iranian professor, exposed his lies, at which time he stopped (see, www.payvand.con/new/, December 2004, Iran's Nuclear Energy Program, Part V, for details).

A nuclear accident ANYwhere is a nuclear accident EVERYwhere. Tens of thousands of people would have been killed, with hundreds of thousands developing long-term illnesses, but Clawson did not give a hoot. These would have simply been "collateral damage" to him!

Now, Clawson, like all other neocons, wants to support the MEK murderous terrorist cult for another of his murderous plans. This is not surprising, of course. The MEK has proven that it is willing to make a pact even with Satan in order to achieve its goal of taking control of Iran. They are already doing it by receiving funds from Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and the CIA. After fleeing Iraq, Masoud Rajavi has lived in Israel (it is said that, very recently, he was taken to Bulgaria for better protection).

Clawson also wants to prove his "manhood" and "toughness" by such murderous proposals, in order to make up for a "soft" aspect of his life. Go figure!


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Traiters...

by Anonymouss (not verified) on

ALL these MKO and its various derivatives have been traitors to iran. They helped bring the disaster that we have today upon people of iran. Their only objective was to remove shah and replace his regime with their own fanatic oppression. We have problem with political islam today in IRI; what they offer is political islam plus worshiping of yet another non-iranians ideology, Marxism. That is sickening. Once they realized that they could not rule iran, they became opposition, helped saddam, and attacked the innocent people of cities and border villages. They also have been trying to act like a fifth column and endanger the iranian people for achieving their unholy goal of ruling iran and replacing IRI oppressions with their version of fanaticism. That is the only thing that they care about.

Having said that, there are some very young recruits among them who have been fooled by massoud and maryam criminals but have not committed any crime against any iranian or iran. They should be allowed to go back to their families. The rest should be put on trial and pay for their crimes, whenever and wherever, in a court of law.


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Letter to Clawson

by Soraya (not verified) on

It seems that those who betray Iran checked not only their 'gheyrat' but also their courage at the border when they left. Hiding behind Mossad and the CIA makes them brave, as does killing of women and children when fighting behing Saddam's ruthless army. Yet these same people lack so much imagination that they sign PMOI supporter. Don't worry, it is your bosses that have long arms. There is a saying 'owards die many times before their deaths'. I emailed the follwing to Clawson.
Mr. Clawson:
One should probably ask: “What is your agenda?”
“The Pentagon is considering a massive covert action program to overthrow Iran's ruling ayatollahs” according to senior State Department and Pentagon officials. “The proposal, which would include covert sponsorship of a group currently deemed terrorist by the U.S. government, is not new, and has not won favor with enough top officials to be acted upon. Sources said Pentagon officials specifically set aside a proposal to reconstitute the MEK under a different banner and promote their armed incursions into Iran, much as the MEK had been doing under Saddam.” //abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90585&page=1
Mr. Clawson, it appears that your position as Deputy Director for Research is not keeping you busy – you are now filling the role of PR for the MEK. Contrary to your stance that the group’s designation “should not be based on the group's political stance” “nor should it be a reward for its reports on Iran's nuclear activities”, you are pleading for them to be rewarded, for their cooperation.
Having failed to persuade the international community that Iran’s nuclear program is a threat, the treacherous MEK are now to be rewarded for providing General Petraeus with false information – blaming Iran for American deaths, giving America an excuse for remaining in Iraq and spending the taxpayer’s money. Else, how else can the Bush administration and the Pentagon explain that on August 26, 2003, in a small ceremony at Prince Sultan Air Base, near Riyadh, the Saudi capital, the United States ended its thirteen-year presence in that kingdom. Not only was Saudi Arabia pleased, but the “Global Posture Review” – the ability to better dominate the world- was put into effect. This cost over one million Iraq lives, 5 million displaced, unknown number maimed, sick, orphaned and widowed. American lives have topped 4,000, not including the daily suicides, the maimed, the dysfunctional families. The MEK provides information to distract us from this occupation and take us to the next massacre. And they want to be rewarded for their work. (//www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?option=com_c...)
I have to ask, Mr. Clawson, who do you consider terrorists?
I recall watching you on C-Span in 2005 amongst a host of other panelists at the Woodrow Wilson Center where rather pleased with yourself, you suggested that Iran’s nuclear facilities be sabotaged. It seems you are not so original after all. It came to light that Mossad and the CIA planned this all along (Haaretz, 6/3/2008). What constitutes an act of terrorism? Perhaps when you do it to others, its in the name of national interest, killing, murder, rape, genocide. After all, these days you do recruit not only terrorists to do your work, but since honorable Americans don’t want to be involved in genocide, the military is now recruiting ex-cons with crimes including assault, manslaughter, and sex crimes //news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7360157.stm . I suppose these traits will all come in handy if Iraq is any indication.
In closing Mr. Clawson, perhaps you would drop a note to the good Iranian people, thousand of whom will read this, what IS your agenda?
Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich


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To: PMOI Supporter - there is nothing that you can say

by Anonymous-2 (not verified) on

There is nothing, that PMOI, MEK, NCRI, Maryam and Massoud Rajavi can say that will change the minds of the Iranian people in your favour!! Nothing!!

This is the wrong site to do your preaching!


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They are peaceful beause that is their only option

by Al Sefati (not verified) on

The so called Mojahedeen are peaceful only becasue they have no other options right now specially post 9/11 era where there is a war against terrorism going on.

Criminals are criminals and they will always be hated for their crimes against the country!


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enough alreday

by MRX1 (not verified) on

ok we all know MKO assassinated American personnel in 1970's and help Khomeini to come to power, exiled, and even helped saddam. At the same time thousands of them were killed brutally by this regime. All and all it's been miserable and disgusting period in Iranian history that sadly continues today. But crime against humanity? Give me a break. The people that should be tried for crime against humanity are the people who work for this regime. Their records is some thing else, from mass executions to killing fields, to chopping hands, gauging eyes, stoning people to death and the list goes on an on.......... Give MKO a break.