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Washington's Favorite Terrorists
01-Jul-2011
In the 10 years that I have lived in Washington, I have never seen lobbyists for al-Qaeda parade through the halls of Congress. I have not seen any events on Capitol Hill organized by Hamas. And I have not seen any American politicians take campaign contributions from the Islamic Jihad.
But the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), an organization with the blood of Americans and Iranians alike on its hands, freely does all of these things, despite being a designated foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
And in a matter of weeks, this terrorist group may succeed in getting removed from the terrorist list -- not as a result of any change of heart -- but as a result of an unprecedented multi-million dollar media and lobbying blitz.
If al-Qaeda or any other terrorist organization were holding fundraisers in DC, lobbying Congress, or holding press conferences at the National Press Club, the FBI, Homeland Security, and local law enforcement would be all over it.
Not so with the MEK. There, law enforcement seems nowhere to be found. In fact, a prominent spokesperson for the MEK terrorist group was hired by Fox News in the mid-2000s to serve as their on-air terrorist analyst. Go figure.
Since early January 2011, the MEK has spent millions of dollars on lobbyists, PR agents and communications firms to build up pressure on Secretary Hillary Clinton to take the group off of the terrorist list. Their argument is that the MEK rejected violence and terrorism in 2001 and as a result should be de-listed.
But this is not true, according to the FBI. A recently disclosed FBI report from 2004 reveals that the group continued to plan terrorist acts at least three years after they claimed to renounce terrorism.
No one should be surprised -- not even DC's "unwitting members of Congress" -- as the FBI calls the group's supporters on Capitol Hill. The State Department has documented the MEK's disturbing record: killing Americans and Iranians in terrorist attacks; fighting for Saddam Hussein against Iran and assisting Saddam's brutal campaign against Iraq's Kurds and Shia; its "cult-like" behavior; the abuses and even torture it commits against its own members; and its support for the U.S. embassy takeover and calls for executing the hostages.
And let's not forget, the MEK suppresses and holds captive its own members - more than 70 percent of the MEK members in Camp Ashraf in Iraq are held there against their own wishes, according to a RAND Corporation study.
But even if the MEK could be believed, the reality is that they are currently on the terrorist list and, as a result, they must be subject to U.S. terrorism laws. Simply put, the laws must be enforced -- without exception.
The State Department's review of their terrorism status, which is due to be completed by August of this year, must be conducted without the essentially illegal pressure tactics the MEK currently is employing through lobbyists, lawmakers and hired former officials.
If the group is taken off the list, not as a result of an objective review, but by virtue of their lobbying prowess, several repercussions can be envisioned.
First, the desire to de-list them in Washington seems partially driven by gravitation towards covert military action against Iran. Neither sanctions nor diplomacy have yielded the desired results on the nuclear issue, and some in Washington are advocating using the MEK to conduct assassination and sabotage campaigns inside Iran.
As one former State Department official put it, the "paradox is that we may take them off the terror list in order for them to do more terror."
Much like Ahmad Chalabi of the Iraqi National Congress, the permanent leader of the MEK, Maryam Rajavi, seeks to return from decades of exile as the anointed President of Iran. And freed of the terrorist designation, there is little reason to believe the MEK won't turn its lobbying apparatus -- which puts Chalabi's to shame -- to obtain U.S. funding and to promote war with Iran. In fact, some members of Congress already refer to the MEK as the "real Green movement." Even more shocking is that top former U.S. officials have called on the U.S. to recognize Rajavi as the rightful President of Iran.
Second, de-listing the MEK would spell disaster for the Iranian pro-democracy movement. According to prominent Green movement figures Mohsen Kadivar and Ahmad Sadri:
Removing the MEK from the FTO at this juncture would embolden Iran's hardliners to intensify their repression and discredit the Green Movement by implying that it is somehow connected to the widely detested MEK terror group. Furthermore, supporting the MEK would provide the Iranian government with the specter of a foreign-based threat that could be exploited to heal key fractures within the system, increase the number of Iranians who would rally around the flag, and facilitate the suppression of the indigenous political opposition.
If you recognize the necessity of a non-violent campaign against the Iranian regime, the last thing you want is to have the U.S. government support and fund one of the most violent and undemocratic Iranian organizations -- and, to make matters worse, to do so in the name of the Iranian Green movement.
Third, de-listing will put the rising Iranian-American community in a state of shock. In the last decade, an impressive civic awakening has occurred in this successful but previously politically silent community, with dozens of new groups being formed with the aim of contributing to the American democracy and providing the Iranian Americans in the U.S. with a voice. A U.S. funded and supported MEK will ensure a return to the pre-1997 era. Back then, in the eyes of most U.S. lawmakers, the voice of Maryam Rajavi was the voice of the entire Iranian-American community.
Now, by buying off officials to pry open the floodgates of U.S. financial and political support, Rajavi and her small but vocal minority threaten to simultaneously drown out the voices of the rest of the Iranian-American community, co-opt the voice of Iran's true opposition, and carry the U.S. down the path of war yet again.
First published in HuffingtonPost.com.
Dr. Trita Parsi is the 2010 recipient of the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order and the author of the forthcoming book "A Single Roll of the Dice – Obama's Diplomacy with Iran," by Yale University Press, February 2012.
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Thank you Mr Parsi for your article
by Khebedin on Sun Jul 03, 2011 04:03 AM PDTNow I know why American forign policy always fails, simply cause it is eveil and has eveil thoughts behind her moves. This very stupid move, has cleared the American intention. Iranians should always be alert by what the Americans do. Thanks God they are so stupid and exposed themselves.
Shazde
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Sun Jul 03, 2011 04:55 AM PDTMM
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Sun Jul 03, 2011 01:54 AM PDTI agree with things you said. But American politicians are slaves to AIPAC. Too bad and the AIPAC has sided with MEK. So we have a big challenge. I used to be very sympathetic to Israel as my previous posts show.
But this action by AIPAC is changing my mind. Maybe I should revisit my support for Israel. Maybe their leadership is too stupid to know what is good for them. They created Hamas to oppose PLO. Now PLO is their "buddy" and they know not what to do with Hamas. I fear they are making the same mistake with MEK. To only good thing is that MEK has no support among Iranians. I really hope Iraqi government moves on Ashraf and flushed out the next of vermin.
Mojahedin deserve a revenge on IRI ... and we'd love to watch it
by Shazde Asdola Mirza on Sat Jul 02, 2011 09:52 PM PDTWhy should the yesterday informants of Tudeh, the last year servants of IRI, the past decade torturers of Evin ... all be given a second chance, but not the Mojahedin?
No one hates the IRI more than the Mojahedin ... so let them join in the coming burning and ruining of that house of Evil ... although they are also to be blamed for establishing it.
The Bon Fire is coming ... we need all the fuel that the crap of 1 million Mullahs require for a good and thorough burn!
ELS and VPK
by MM on Sat Jul 02, 2011 06:39 PM PDTI do not know how much brain-washing has gone on in camp Ashraf, and I hope there is a way to reverse those effects some day. But, the MKO foot-soldiers also come with a big ball/chain called Rajavi(s), and I have a big problem with associating with any Iranian-related democratic movement with those two characters as the head delegates.
I was very disappointed to see two Iranian opposition factions hold their annual meetings without inviting members of any of the other opposition groups. It seems like that all we do is operate within the walls of the castles that we have built. Nonetheless, I hope that this is a bitter lesson for all of us and that there will be another movement from now on to unite different opposition blocs under a common denominator with proven democratic parameters that we can all agree on, irregardless of the type of the secular government.
United, we stand much taller.
Huffington Post
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Sat Jul 02, 2011 05:17 PM PDTIs censoring most anti MKO postings. They are obviously on board with the "camp".
MM
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Sat Jul 02, 2011 03:41 PM PDTFirst as you know I oppose MKO so don't take this as a sign of support.
But my take is that USA wants to use them as a "front". The USA wants to use them. As cannon fodder to harass the IRI. Then go in as "support" and overthrow IRI. Once that is done they will hold elections and Rajavi will get < 1 % of the vote. Just like Chalebi.
What worries me is they are playing with fire. MKO is unpredictable and insane. In my opinion they are best avoided. But then no one is asking my opinion. So here we are.
MM: I despise MKO more than IRR/Mullahs..!?
by Everybody Loves Somebody ... on Sat Jul 02, 2011 03:38 PM PDTIn fact, I think it was these SoB's and their ideologue Ali Shariati who paved the way for the mullahs.
All I am saying is that if they can be used in the way of bringing the mullahs e al down why not? And if in the process they [MKO] get wiped out, all the better!
to all
by iamfine on Sat Jul 02, 2011 03:29 PM PDTIf we stay united, nobody, nobody can touch or harm Iranian nation.
ELS
by MM on Sat Jul 02, 2011 03:24 PM PDTThe second and third generation MKO members have been trying to get out of the camp Ashraf, but not been able to. But, the 2nd and 3rd generation MKO have no choice while the Rajavi duo have the helm. MKO have also not changed their radical views that are similar to the Islamic Republic policies. So, if you think that you will have a different regime by going from IRI to MKO, well, not really, probably worse.
VPK & Mosevilde
by Everybody Loves Somebody ... on Sat Jul 02, 2011 02:56 PM PDTVPK: I left out a few details but you do get the gist that these rag-headed clowns all the way from bin Laden to Khayemani have been in the target list of US of A!
When I refer to MEK, I don't necessarily talk about their 1st generation but rather their 2nd and 3rd generations. I do agree that it will take an American to pull Khamenei out of a hole just like they took Sad'dam out of his hiding hole!
Mosevilde: I don't hate Iranians! And since when mullahs et al = Iranians!?
bfarahmand
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Sat Jul 02, 2011 01:15 PM PDTI agree with you and that is the problem for American. They want to remove IRI but are not willing or able to afford it. Hence they try to recruit the MKO. Which is a waste of time and money.
They will wind up financing a nice cushy life for Rajavi. Then get nothing else accomplished. IRI will arrest or kill the MKO fighters and it will be a big loss of face for them.
MEK and Soviet Union?
by Mammad on Sat Jul 02, 2011 12:58 PM PDTThe idea that the MEK was a slave to the Soviet Union is so ridiculous, so absurd, so wacky! Where the hell is the evidence? I am certain that Hanif-nejad, Mohsen and Badi'zadegan turned in their graves, if they could.
Some commentators here are so full of hatred that they cannot see a foot in front of themselves. Parsi's piece is about MEK. Focus on what he says, and try to critique the article's content.
Mammad
to Veiled Prophet of Khorasan
by iamfine on Sat Jul 02, 2011 11:21 AM PDTI am not sure if this country has the financial backing of occupying and dominating another country like Assad and IRI. It is too much to handle. The US government is already into a financial crisis
....
by Mola Nasredeen on Sat Jul 02, 2011 11:12 AM PDTDean Martin wanna be,
The problem is you don't have the coolness of Dean Martin and act as an vengeful individual. Dean Martin didn't have it in him.
From your comments one can detect the violence and aggression towards, The Others.
I suspect you suffer from a psychological pain or ailment.
Were you abused as a child?
everybodylovessomeone: Do
by vildemose on Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:13 AM PDTeverybodylovessomeone: Do you really think bombing Iran will solve either Iranians or the Israelis problems?? Do you even care about either country? Why do you hate Iranians so much???
It sounds like you are driven by revenge and hatred and can't think straight.
ELS
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:12 AM PDTI have been saying the same thing with minor differences. US is not yet done with Taliban. Next is Ghaddafi then Assad. IRI is the last one to go. I agree that this is the plan.
What I do not agree with is the usefulness of MEK. The AIPAC is wasting its money. All it gets is a luxury hotel for Rajavi. So why bother. Just come out clean; admit the plan and do it. Better honest than make up some BS about "democratic opposition".
Replies
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:08 AM PDTMehrdad: I pretty much agree with you.
ELS: The miserable MEK are not going to be good enough for mopping anything. Other than floors and toilets. What are they going to use? Their walkers and canes? Maybe they are going to use their pace makers. If anything happens it will have to be a US / NATO operation and they might as well accept it. You don't win a war on the cheap as Bush found out.
Mola, read the writing on the wall!
by Everybody Loves Somebody ... on Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:01 AM PDTIn the chronological order, America has gone after and destroyed the following terrorist enterprises:
1) The Al-Qaeda et al,
2) The Taliban et al,
3) The Sad'dam et al,
4) The Ben laden et al,
and next is your masters turn,
5) The IRR & Mullahs et al!
Then one can say the mission is truly accomplished!
Do you get the gist or the drift or the light....!?
....
by Mola Nasredeen on Sat Jul 02, 2011 09:39 AM PDTWhen NIAC speaks I listen:
And this is what they say:
"Now, by buying off officials to pry open the floodgates of U.S. financial and political support, Rajavi and her small but vocal minority threaten to simultaneously drown out the voices of the rest of the Iranian-American community, co-opt the voice of Iran's true opposition, and carry the U.S. down the path of war yet again."
To those clueless cowards who sit in their comfortable homes and wish a war between Iran and United states:
Why don't you get your butt off the couch, go to Iran and do the fighting?
VPK jaan and others: Keep in mind a couple of things
by Bavafa on Sat Jul 02, 2011 09:09 AM PDTThis article is not about NIAC but MEK and the special interest (Neocons/AIPAC) in US and their design for Iran. The closet-MEK/AIPAC supporters are hijacking this to turn the conversation to NIAC since they know there is no support for MEK or their pimps in US.
If a lie is repeated enough, it becomes accepted as truth. We have seen this many times in the recent history (i.e. Iraq WMD, etc). All of NIACers have yet to cite credible information about:
- NIAC involvement with IRI
- If they truly believe Mr. Parsi is an IRI supporter, join the organization and oust him
- work towards or provide an alternative to NIAC
The main idea and opposition is to kill and destroy Iranian unity/voice as it is a competing voice to others (i.e AIPAC) not to provide a better solution.
Mehrdad
Look, US is going to take a massive military action against ...
by Everybody Loves Somebody ... on Sat Jul 02, 2011 07:24 AM PDTthe IRR to bring its infrastructure down, that's a fact jack and you better believe it!
US will and should not waste its precious young men and women to clean up after. Instead, it should use some domestic folks who know the language and the culture and that's when the MEK will come in to mop up if you will.
After all, somebody ought to go after the running mullahs, supporters, pasdars, basijis, et al and bring them to justice!? Don't tell me that you are going to do that!
NIAC, MEK or IRI?
by Reality-Bites on Sat Jul 02, 2011 07:13 AM PDTWhat depressing choices before the Iranian people.
Other Iranians
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Sat Jul 02, 2011 06:55 AM PDTare not generally being arrested when going to Iran. My friend's father moved back to retire. My grandmother moved back after my grandfather died. My friend went for his mother's funeral.
None of this is to excuse Dr. Parsi or his relation with IRI. Just getting the facts right. Most Iranian may go back with no trouble and come back. I know many others who do this on a regular basis without any problems whatsoever.
So, is IRI Dr. Parsi and NIAC's favorite terrorists?
by ham1328 on Sat Jul 02, 2011 05:28 AM PDTFrom it's inception, NIAC has done everything to promote and protect IRI's goals. Dr. Traitor Parsi, vigorously has lobbied to fight economic sanctions, political isolation and military actions or threats against IRI. Even since 2005, when Ahmadi Nejad became president and IRI's true colors became known to the rest of the world, Dr. Parsi did not slow down his efforts to lobby for IRI. Under the pretext of preventing humanitarian disaster, his organization, feverishly continued to guaranty IRI's survival at an untold human cost to Iranian citizens. Dr. Parsi, please if you would, tell me why you promote the world's largest, most lethal and brutal terrorist organization, called IRI, and yet attack another terrorist organization, MEK? How is it that you were able to travel to Iran and back, hold meetings with top Iranian officials (according to you on CNN), when other Iranian Americans were being arrested on arrival in Iran?
Are you Iranian, Shah Hosein?
by ham1328 on Sat Jul 02, 2011 05:29 AM PDTIf you were, then you would know that N.I.A.C. is in Washington to protect the interest of IRI and nothing else. Their main goal is to prevent economic sanctions, political pressure or military action against Iran, period.
Kooshan
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Sat Jul 02, 2011 02:54 AM PDTMEK never had a mind in the first place; just emotions. They were slaves to:
I have known people who joined this sick organization. I know what they do to their members. They never had a mind and will never have one.
What machine
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Sat Jul 02, 2011 02:51 AM PDTWith some 2000 miserable souls in Ashraf MEK wants to go against 200 K Basiji? Don't fool yourself to win a head to head war will take NATO troops. MEK is in no position to do much.
If this were to happen USA will hold elections and Rajavi is lucky to get 1% of the vote. Then she will go the way of Chalebi. USA is using them as cannon fodder. They will never gain power in Iran only in their dreams.
America is known to sleep
by Kooshan on Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:44 PM PDTAmerica is known to sleep with the enemies....MEK will be used as a whore and the body will be thrown under bridge! America will never forget that this organization assasinated an American general during Shah's regime.
MEK was mentally destroyed by mollahs 30 years ago. They lost their mind and become a political whore. Once the hero of a nation has now become an ugly whore with lots of makeup on her face!
Long Live NIAC
by Sialashgar on Fri Jul 01, 2011 09:58 PM PDTGood people,Smart Iranians.
please support them.
Shah Hossein