Washington's Favorite Terrorists

Rajavi carrying U.S. down path of war yet again

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Washington's Favorite Terrorists
by Trita Parsi
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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more from Trita Parsi
 
vildemose

MEK is not going to be used

by vildemose on

MEK is not going to be used to bring democracy to Iran ... it is going to be used to bring death, destruction, ruin, and terror to the street of Tehran ...

I never thought I agree with soosan khanoom, but that is true. That is what Self-destructive Likudnik and their christian evanglical supporters cooked up for Iran. However, we need to expose them by asking them to formally and officially state their case out in the public. They need to be exposed publicly. Hiding them and not engaging them, is not going to vanish their moronic backers. We need to embarass the hell out of their backers by contacting them directly not to have AIPAC spring the MEK upon us. Engaging MEK will expose their backers and their ill-intention for all Americans and Iranians who are not on the Likudnik payroll.  Khomeini was an unknown sprung up upon us by the CIA et al without a chance for anyone to scrutinize him or expose him for what he was. Let's not do the same mistake. MEK needs to be dealt with out in the open. That is the only way they cannot sneak into the fray...

IRI=MEK 


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Must be

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

the end of the world! I agree with Soosan Khanoom!

Ms Soosan do not fool yourself. That 400 million gets a lot of recruits. I bet you there are some university grants just waiting for MEK supporters right out of AIPAC budget.


MM

duuuuh - nothing happened w/o Khomeini's blessing

by MM on

Main internal or foriegn policy matters were cleared with Khomeini, and if he only had to swallow his pride in a matter, he also had a poison chalis that came in handy for those decisions!

Oh yes, and let's not forget the vezarat-e Fatwa Khomeini


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Fine

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

IRP; Khomeini; Khamenei; Mousavi; Rajavi are all traitors. No problem on my side. Mr MK seems to think anyone opposed to MEK is pro IRI. That is so far from reality as to be funny. 

These are talking point right out of the MEK book. They call anyone opposed to them an IRI agent. Nothing new except for their new recruits. I am not sure what it cost by they got some more "Professors" on board. Good thing they do not matter.


MM

Mehrdad

by MM on

As you remember, Alavi organization in NY was ceased by the FBI because they were a front for IRI.  If someone produces bona fide evidence for NIAC's role as a front for IRI, I am sure that FBI would also be interested.  

You and I may have to flip a coin to see who send the information first! 


Soosan Khanoom

To all MEK supporters here

by Soosan Khanoom on

 U.S is not misinformed about the degree of support that MEK has among Iranian people. U.S exactly knows that MEK has no support actually...  But someone needs to do AIPAC's  dirty job inside Iran.  There is $400 million budget for US covert operations inside Iran. And who else but MEK , this whore of Iranian opposition , can so easily sell themselves to the highest bidder .....

MEK is not going to be used to bring democracy to Iran ... it is going to be used to bring death, destruction, ruin, and terror to the street of Tehran ...  

Now go ahead in your support of MEK ..... Let us hope that you are naively supporting this and are not being paid from that $400 million budget to spread the shit ....

And Mr kazemzadeh , who I even doubt to be a Mosadegh Supporter ,  for your information IRI is not worse than MEK ..... PERIOD  

 


Masoud Kazemzadeh

Duuuuuuuuuh

by Masoud Kazemzadeh on

Technically, Khomeini was not a member of the IRP (Islamic Republican Party). The leader of IRP was Beheshti.

The Editor-in-Chief of the official IRP paper was Mir-Hussein Mousavi. The IRP paper was called Jomhuri Islami.

Top leaders of the IRP were Bahonar, Beheshti, Hassan Ayat, Mir-Hussein Mousavi, Rafsanjani, Rajai.

The IRP was the party that attacked the liberals (secular liberals of JM and Islamist liberals of Nehzat Azadi, and Bani Sadr) and wanted to impose Khomeini as the Absolute Clerical Leader, Vali Faqih.

In the March 1980 presidential election, IRP candidate was Jalaledin Farsi who was disqualified because his father was Afghan.  Then the IRP nominated Hassan Habibi as the IRP candidate who got only about 5% of the votes.

The IRP lobbied Khomeini very hard to get rid of Bani Sadr and give the IRP ALL of the power.  When one reads Rafsanjani's memoirs, these become clear.  Initially, Khomeini was afraid that abandoing Bani Sadr may cost him. 

ANYone may feel free to ask "yes" and "no" or multiples choice, or true-false questions.

Masoud

 

 


Bavafa

Masoud: من میگم نرِ ، تو میگی‌ بدوشش

Bavafa


I keep saying what NIAC is and how it has been structured, yet you insist on the same irrelevant questions about its presidency.

I have no issues with all the things you said about IRI crimes vise a vie Iranian people. They are criminal dictators and hardly any one can argue against that.

But firstly, if I may point out again, this blog is about MEK and the role of their US politician supporting this group and not NIAC. You are certainly have your opinion about NIAC which you are entitled to them but they are not based on FACTS, only opinions.

Regarding PMOI collaboration with Saddam, we can try to twist and turn this issue as much as we want but it will not change the fact that they sided with enemy while their mother land and country men were at war with that dictator. Many including myself strongly condemn Khomanie rejection of the ceasefire and prolonging the war but that criminal action by Khomeini does not absolve this treacherous decision by Rajavi. Two completely separate issues.

Based on your stated opinion here, the fact of the matter is that you are rejecting NIAC for what you perceived as not being democratic yet endorsing PMOI knowing that they have far greater record of anti-democratic practices, blood of Iranians on their hand and act of treason against their mother land (these are all FACTUAL and not opinion).

Giving the above contradictory position held by you which I cited above, wouldn't you say this is hypocritical position held by you?

Regarding the word "terrorist" I personally don't buy much of that as this term has been used and abused overly just for political purpose and have long lost its meaning. If you are ever interested to discuss it, first define it and then we can OBJECTIVELY decide and review which country and organization has employed those tactics the most.

Lastly and kindly, if you are interested in this dialogue and continue the conversation about NIAC, please start a new thread and I will join it with open mind.  Otherwise we can continue with the topic of this article (i.e MEK and the role of their supporters about Iran and Iranaians)

As I have said it many times before, If I am proven OBJECTIVELY that NIAC truly is a front for IRI, I will immediately withhold my support for this group as it is and will take every opportunity to change its course and if not successful will join its competing group one that is to promote peace, democracy and independent in Iran.

'Vahdat' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad


vildemose

MM: sorry, the TV

by vildemose on

MM: sorry, the TV appearance comment was intended for MG.

I hear what you are saying. I don't watch TV, period.


MM

Prof - IRP leaders: Mousavi, Rafsanjani, Khamenei, Khatami.

by MM on

Did you say that? "yes" or "no"

actually, you can take the fifth on that one.  The point is that we can also pull a hair off a flea's back with a pair of tweezers, as my old director used to say.


Masoud Kazemzadeh

Already Covered Khomeini in Earlier Response

by Masoud Kazemzadeh on

Response for Bavafaby Masoud Kazemzadeh on Sun Jul 03, 2011 11:22 PM PDT

B: 5. Isn't true that MEK sided with Saddam against Iran while Iran was at war and occupied by Iraqi forces.

MK: As far as I am aware, the PMOI sided with Saddam AFTER the Iranian forces kicked Saddam out of much of Iran and AFTER Khomeini took the war into Iraqi territory. In 1982, Saddam was kicked out of Khorramshahr and asked for ceasefire. Khomeini rejected the ceasefire and took the war into Iraq in order to overthrow Saddam and establish a puppet fundamentalist regime. And Khomeini’s slogan was "Rahe Qods as Karbala migozarad." In other words, Khomeini wanted to go to Israel via Iraq.

One can (and I do) condemn PMOI for collaborating with Saddam. But it would be wrong to say that they did so while Iran was "occupied by Iraqi forces." The PMOI collaborated with Saddam while Khomeini wanted to occupy Iraqi territory and invade Israel.

Khomeini’s grandson revealed that Hassan Ayat (top leader in the Islamic Republican Party) said in a secret meeting of the high level leaders of the Islamic Republican Party that they should not help the war effort because if they did, President Bani Sadr would be regarded as the person who won the war and then he would have more political power. It is believed that Khomeini gang were responsible for Iran not winning the war earlier. If true, this is TREASON committed by Khomeini and the Islamic Republican Party (among whose leaders were Mousavi, Khatami, Khamenei, Rafsanjani, etc).

 


Mehrban

MG, I hear you

by Mehrban on

That is partially why I did not post the utube link to their rally in my comment.   Fine line is this Democracy.  


MM

Vildemose

by MM on

I have not commented on TV appearances.  As a matter of fact, MKO's official representative, Alireza Jafarzadeh, used to be on Fox news and their unofficial representative, Hassan Dai, is all over, even on IC.

PS, that was a hell of an omission


vildemose

Dear MM: I am certain that

by vildemose on

Dear MM: I am certain that the omission was not intentional.

 

Intended for MG:

If teaparty members (e.g. Joe Plumber) , Ahmadinejad, Marandi, and other IRI officials can get exposure on American TV, certainly, Maryam or an official spokesperson of MEK should too.


MM

Vildemose

by MM on

The main name that was left out by "the professor" as THE leader of IRI was Khomeini whose treaterous anti-Iranian ways and vindictive anti-Saddam policies were the priciple driving force in Iranian internal and foreign policies.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Re: MEK; Mousavi; IRP and the rest

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

Might I remind you none would have been in power without the revolution. If Shah was running the nation the war with Iraq would have never happened. Nor would have have had all these horrors to deal with.

Why did it happen lets see: MEK; JM; and Islamists!

Now we have JM reminding us of the crimes of those they brought to power. Yes! I agree they did bring all those criminals to power. Well done people!


Mash Ghasem

Maryam on Parazit: an idea who's time has come?

by Mash Ghasem on

Sounds very sensationalist (which is probably not exactly what you had in mind),  at least a good idea for Parazit (it's getting a bit repetitive), it doesn't even have to be Maryam, any official spokesperson would be sufficient.

But by doing this we're just adding to the problem I was alluding to earlier: giving exposure and over-representation to groups with no positive social substance, while the substantial, indigenous forces and movements in Iran get almost no exposure and representation and are often ignored, cheers


vildemose

MK jan: Ma bishtar

by vildemose on

MK jan: Ma bishtar sepasgozarim....thank you for your wonderful contributions to IC.

 


Masoud Kazemzadeh

Vildemose jaan

by Masoud Kazemzadeh on

Vildemose jaan,

Sepaas gozaram.

Masoud


vildemose

MK

by vildemose on

MK: I have no problem with your definition. The Islamic Republican Party (IRP) actively undermined the Iranian war effort in order to undermine President Bani Sadr while Iranian territory was under Saddam’s occupation. The leaders of IRP included Mir-Hussein Mousavi, Rafsanjani, Khamenei, Khatami. You have every right to call the PMOI traitor, but you should ALSO then call the IRP and IRP leaders such as Khamanei, Mir-Hussein Mousavi, Rafsanjani, and Khatami traitors.

Absolutely and let us never ever forget that. 


Masoud Kazemzadeh

Bavafa on the PMOI

by Masoud Kazemzadeh on

Bavafa, 

In regards to the PMOI.

B: Iran was still occupied on the Western front long after Khoramshahr was freed

 

MK: This is what I already wrote. "As far as I am aware, the PMOI sided with Saddam AFTER the Iranian forces kicked Saddam out of much of Iran and AFTER Khomeini took the war into Iraqi territory."

Khomeini refused the ceasefire, because he wanted to overthrow Saddam and establish a fundamentalist puppet regime in Iraq. In Rafsanjani’s memoirs, Rafsanjani says that Khomeini refused because the ceasefire stated that Iran (i.e., Khomeini) could not assist the Iraqi opposition (e.g., Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq).

 

================================= 

B: Also, the standard definition of treason (I sure hope you would know that as an college educated person) is not aiding the enemy only while your the land is being occupied. I am sure any US citizen who aids Afghani Taliban or Iraqi Mehdi army will be held and punished as a traitors

 

MK: I have no problem with your definition. The Islamic Republican Party (IRP) actively undermined the Iranian war effort in order to undermine President Bani Sadr while Iranian territory was under Saddam’s occupation. The leaders of IRP included Mir-Hussein Mousavi, Rafsanjani, Khamenei, Khatami. You have every right to call the PMOI traitor, but you should ALSO then call the IRP and IRP leaders such as Khamanei, Mir-Hussein Mousavi, Rafsanjani, and Khatami traitors.

 

================================== 

B: may I ask on what base you are advocating your support for De-listing this traitor group which has also carried out actions that legally has earned them a terrorist group?

 

MK: the VF regime (and Khamenei) is the number 1 terrorist entity in the world. NIAC (and you) advocate making trade and business deals with it!!!!!!!!! Heloooooo.

The PMOI was placed on the FTO list in 1997 in order to appease and reward President Khatami. We have to be honest. The PMOI only killed one American. The VF regime has killed thousands upon thousands of Americans. The fundamentalists (Khomeini, Khamenei, Mir-Hussein Mousavi, Khatami) are directly responsible for the killing of American via Hezbollah and Qods Force in Lebanon in the US Marines barracks and Embassy as well as the hostage taking and torture and murder of many Americans in Lebanon. The fundamentalist regime is directly responsible in killing thousands of Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan by providing the extremists forces with weapons and means to do kill Americans.

The fundamentalists (both hard-liners and reformists) were directly responsible for the taking and holding Americans hostage.

The VF regime is a zillion times more terroristic than the PMOI.

In my opinion, the VF regime is the number 1 enemy of the Iranian people who want democracy. The first step is to overthrow the VF regime. The best way to weaken the terrorist regime is to have real sanctions so that the terrorist regime could not sell oil. We need real sanctions imposed on the terrorist regime similar to those imposed on the racist apartheid regime.

In my opinion, NIAC’s lobbying helps the VF regime by providing billions and billions of dollars year after year directly into the hands of Khamenei and Ahmadinejad by getting rid of the sanctions. The de-listing of the PMOI would allow the PMOI lobby to counter and undermine NIAC. This would be very harmful for the VF regime.

Sanctions on the terrorist regime would hasten the overthrow of the terrorist regime and thus is very positive for those who wish to see the terrorist regime overthrown. It is in the national interest of Iran to see the terrorist regime overthrown and democracy established in our beloved homeland.

I oppose PMOI’s ideology, PMOI’s leadership, PMOI’s policies. I agree with Prof. Abrahamian that the term "terrorist" is not appropriate for the PMOI.  In a personal conversation, Prof. Abrahamian told me that he does NOT use the term "terrorist" for the PMOI.

There is no doubt that the term "TERRORIST" is appropriate for the VF regime.

If the PMOI were to ever come to power in Iran, it would be horrible. But I do NOT see any likelihood that the PMOI would ever come to power in Iran.

The PMOI does have highly disciplined members inside Iran. It is in the American national interests to use the PMOI for their own purposes (e.g., intelligence on the nuclear stuff).

I hope this is helpful. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Masoud

 


vildemose

Fantastic Idea Mehraban jan

by vildemose on

Let's say, Parazit invites Maryam Rajavi to their next interview,

Parazit can issue a disclaimer at the beginning of the show that they don't endorse MEK.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Mehraban

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

If I insulted you show me the quote. Anyway I will get some sleep when I feel like it. I am old enough to decide that. As for your opinion you are entitled to it. I do suggest you spend a few months at Camp Ashraf to get a first hand view of what it is like. Then with full knowledge come and tell the rest of us.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

MK

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

Give it up. We are not your "students". And if I were I would ask for my tuition back. So do us a favor and take your NIAC business somewhere else. This blog is about MEK. Not about NIAC and you are not interrogating us.


Mehrban

VPK jaan it was not meant as an insult

by Mehrban on

but a genuine concern, I see your comments have spanned the night.  Plus you have not been that decent with me when you shamed me for expressing my opinion but who is (counting) ;).  Peace!


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Mehraban

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

Please stop insulting me; I have been decent to you so far. It is not that I need sleep but you need to wake up. 


Siavash300

Warning !!! to all patriatic Iranians

by Siavash300 on

This new political wave could be as dangerous as stinky mullahs who destroyed our beautiful country for last 32 years. Don't be silent, take an action against MEK. These Islamic group rooted their ideology on idea of lizard eater arabs who was originated 1400 years ago in Arabian peninsula, perpertuated throughout history, lashing out in our modern time. Blowing up twin tower and burning innocent people in cinema rex is vivid examples of lashing out this barbaric ideas in our modern world. The idea  NOT Persian and  can NOT co-exist with spirit of Persianism.


MM

Mehrban

by MM on

My fear is that MKO comes off the terrorist list and with AIPAC's backing, they will become the voice of the Iranian freedom movement, whose ways are far removed from democratic principles, as MG/VPK/Mehrdad eluted to.

What MKO can do is show us that they really mean what they are saying by opening the Camp Ashraf doors, stop dictating their members' everyday life and MR can abdicate her 30 year old presidency.  Then we can engage them while being suspecious, as Mash Ghasem suggested.  It is time for a new generation, anyways.


Masoud Kazemzadeh

Questions for Bavafa or NIAC: NIAC Dictatorial or Democratic?

by Masoud Kazemzadeh on

Bavafa,

You are apparently a member of NIAC. You could ask the leaders of NIAC to provide a FACTUAL, OFFICIAL, and clear answer to my questions. I have NOT received an answer.

1. Do members of NIAC have the right to vote for the President of NIAC??????? Please either "yes," or "no."

2. When was the last time that members of NIAC voted for the President of NIAC? NIAC was created 9 years ago. When was the last time, members of NIAC voted for President of NIAC?

3. Please provide the names of the candidates who competed against Dr. Trita Parsi (and lost the election to him).

5b. Do simple members of NIAC vote for the members of the Board?????

Please provide a link in which all the simple members of NIAC were allowed to participate in an election for the members of the Board. Could you also please provide the list of candidates who did NOT win the vote.

I look forward to you or someone from NIAC to provide official, factual, answers to my questions.

Thanks,

Masoud 


Mehrban

Mash Ghasem and Vildemose

by Mehrban on

Let's say, Parazit invites Maryam Rajavi to their next interview, -which they will not because it would look like an endorsement-   and grilled her and took questions from viewers.  Just a thought, it would be kinda radical, no? ;).