Camp Ashraf
New York Times / Editorial
22-Aug-2009 (2 comments)

In a letter to a British parliamentarian last month, a senior State Department official insisted that the United States was “doing its utmost” to ensure that Iraq’s government would treat 3,400 Iranian exiles living at Camp Ashraf in eastern Iraq “humanely.” Two weeks later, a clash between the exiles and Iraqi police left 11 Iranians dead, and 36 were taken into custody by Iraqi forces.

Americans troops had guarded the camp since 2003, but recently handed over responsibility to Iraqi forces. Baghdad promised that the exiles would be protected.

There is no authoritative version of events, but it does not look as if that promise is being kept. The Iraqi government claims the exiles threw stones and Molotov cocktails when Iraqi forces entered the camp, ostensibly to establish a police post. The exiles have video showing Iraqi forces beating people with clubs and charging them with vehicles. The administration’s response has been weak. Officials say they will press Iraq to fulfill its promises but can only do so much now that Iraq is in charge.

The camp’s residents are members of the People’s Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK), which is committed to overthrowing Tehran’s government. Saddam Hussein welcomed them to Iraq during the Iraq-Iran war and they have lived at the camp ever since.

Iraq’s Shiite-dominated government now has good relations with Iran and little enthusiasm for the MEK. The Americans are at best ambivalent. The... >>>

Paymaneh Amiri

Betrayed by all

by Paymaneh Amiri on Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:53 AM PDT

"Residents say that Washington has now betrayed that commitment. They have a legitimate complaint. But the MEK has also made no effort to reduce tensions with the Iraqis."

I would say that residents of Camp Ashraf have been betrayed by all.  These are human beings who have been living under inhumane conditions for decades.  They need to be helped to join real communities in the world for a chance to integrate and to start having normal lives. 



Balatarin
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Bavafa

The article describes MEK as

by Bavafa on Sat Aug 22, 2009 02:42 PM PDT

The article describes MEK as "The camp’s residents are members of the People’s Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK), which is committed to overthrowing Tehran’s government. Saddam Hussein welcomed them to Iraq during the Iraq-Iran war and they have lived at the camp ever since".

How interesting is that NYT conveniently leave and hide much of/and very relevant portion of this group history and identity. For an outsider that is not familiar with this group, might think of them as a political refugee, where as in reality they are a recognized terrorist group and even much worse a group of traitors to their home land

Mehrdad


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