If the terrorist Iranian dissident group Mujahadin-e Khalq (MeK) can’t find someplace to go after being evicted from its base in Iraq, the United States may remove the group from the State Department’s terrorist list.
The MEK has a long history of terrorist activity going back to the 1970’s and it remains on America’s official list of foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) and has the goal of overthrowing the Iranian government. Because of this goal, there has been a big money push by many influential people in Washington to get the group removed from the State Department’s terrorist list, presumably to make it eligible for U.S. funding and harm Iran.
MeK’s former ally, the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, had allowed the group to settle at Camp Ashraf, 40 miles from Baghdad. But now Iraq’s Shi’ite majority has forged closer ties with its Shi’ite neighbor Iran, and the MeK is no longer welcome at Ashraf.
Despite still being officially considered a terrorist group, the U.S. has sort of taken MeK under its wing, opening up a former U.S. base in Iraq for the 3,000 MeK members in Ashraf to resettle to, and trying to find a third country that might welcome them, since both Iraq and Iran will not.
But they can’t stay at the U.S. base in Iraq permanently. And if a new home can’t be found for them, the U.S. may de-list them, and possibly even welcome them on U.S. soil.
“Given the ongoing efforts to relocate the residents, MeK cooperation in the successful and peaceful closure of Camp Ashraf, the MeK’s main paramilitary base, will be a key factor in any decision regarding the MEK’s FTO status,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently told U.S. lawmakers.
This is a despicable and hypocritical approach on the part of Washington. U.S. officials recently told NBC News that Israel has financed, trained, and armed MeK terrorists to carry out unprovoked attacks on Iranian nuclear scientists inside Iran. To help MeK find refuge or even de-list them would clearly be U.S. support for terrorists. Of course, when terrorists target the United States or its allies, they are detained without charge or trial, tortured, or even executed. But if terrorists target an adversary of the U.S., like Iran, suddenly they’re worthy of Washington’s help.
In Virginia there are many hidden wooden area and CIA – US military training facilities, so why not there, it seams that if US wants to use these terrorists is better for US to bring them home and train them and then unleash them to do the US dirty job. I am sure that the self declared president of this cult (MeK) loves the idea and willing to do whatever to have a personalized palace made for her and her staff of 500, state department have the money and I am sure Hillary knows few powerful friends here and there, to pass an especial budget just for MeK.
Mojo, no can do. Almost all of their members are now old and by coming here they will be a financial burdon on tax payers. Besides, in the past they have killed Americans, and it's incoceivable that the US should now shake hands with them. Better for them to be used by Mossad, as they are.
Some people are licking their wounds are hitting their head against the rock of reality.
Maybe there are still some former State department American Employees that were in Iran as hostages, and former MEK Terrorists still alive that can have a Reunion!
MEK is the main Iranian resistance seeking establishing a secular state. When it comes to Iran, the Iranian government is the only terrorist entity terrorizing its own people.
ali, MEK secular? Give a break. I wish some people knew what they're talking about.
in your zeal for "anti war" and "anti-intervention" (I agree with you btw) you have become "pro-mullah" and pro-repressive regime and anti-honor and anti-dignity.
You better wake up before you find yourself sorry for all the aid and abetting of the detested regime in iran that you are doing.
Get a life John. What's in it for you to write such a disgusting article! How much many did you get under the table of the iranian lobbies.
Better watch out, the US Treasury is freezing all the bonyads and organizations advocating for the mullahs. Find a better job than writing BS about MEK.