Saturday, September 22, 2012

U.S. Removes Iran Dissident Group Mujahedeen from Terror List

In a decisive victory for the Iranian opposition group Mujahedeen Khalq Organization (MKO), the State Department on Friday removed the group from the list of designated terrorist organizations.
The Mujahedeen have been lobbying non-stop to be de-listed and in a public relations campaign unparalleled in the history of the Iranian opposition, they were able to garner support from the A-list of Washington backers for their cause. The supporters included former C.I.A. directors R. James Woolsey and Porter J. Goss, former F.B.I director Louis J. Freeh, former homeland security secretary Tom Ridge, General James Jones, President Obama’s first national security adviser, former governor Ed Rendell, and Newt Gingrich, the former House Speaker and presidential candidate. Journalists Clarence Page of Chicago Tribune and Carl Bernstein of Watergate fame were also among the supporters.

More than 3,000 of MKO members recently relocated from Camp Ashraf, their longtime location in Iraq to Camp Liberty near the Baghdad airport. The move was completed last Sunday.    
 
The MKO, by far the largest opposition group outside Iran, was listed as a terrorist organization by the State Department in 1997. The Mujahedeen were part of an armed urban guerrilla campaign against the Shah in 1970s. Their current leader, Massoud Rajavi, was sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment. He left the prison during the Islamic Revolution and reorganized his group to become the largest opposition force to the Islamic Republic. MKO was then linked to bombing of a gathering of top IRI leaders in 1981 and they staged militant demonstrations against an increasingly autocratic Khomeini regime. Later that year, Rajavi and Adolhassan Banisadr, the first IRI president, had to escape Iran after the regime accused them of attempts to overthrow the Islamic Republic. 
MKO later received support from Saddam Hussein and organized an armed force near the Iranian border inside Iraq. Towards the end of the Iran-Iraq War, the group defeated border security forces and entered Iran. They occupied the city of Kermanshah and marched toward the central city of Hamedan, but they were eventually routed by the IRGC, with many of their members dead, injured and missing in action. The remnant of the group resettled in Iraq, in what was to become Camp Ashraf. On Sunday, the last contingent of 680 members left Ashraf and was relocated at Baghdad’s Camp Liberty.

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

The U.S. is utterly hypocritical when it comes to the "War on Terror".

Anonymous said...

"The enemy of the enemy is our friend". Unfortunately, that did not work 30 years ago when the U.S. sided with Saddam Hussein against the Islamic Republic of Iran when Saddam was using chemical weapons against the Iranians.

Not only did the U.S. strengthen Saddam Hussein's regime, they also helped galvanize Khomeini's regime by helping him unify Iranians against an external threat. If it weren't for Saddam and the United States, the Islamic Republic would likely have collapsed.

It's crystal clear that the U.S. haven't learned from their mistakes.

Anonymous said...

So now these people will be used by America and Israel in acts against Iran. And US wonder why Iran doesn't appreciate US.

Shameful.

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:17 PM

Oh come on, they are launching ordnance off drones, taking out women and children, and launching cruise missiles at countries that are no imminent threat to them all for the greater good of mankind.

Anonymous said...

OK, here are the facts. The reason that the Iranian MEK Terroist Organization is being removed from the Terrorist List is that Israel is a strong supporter of the MEK, providing them with money, weapons and training. Israel uses the MEK whenever they want to have an Iranian scientist assassinated or perform some other terrorist act within Iran or the Middle East. Israel also provides the same level of support to the Kurdish PKK (another terrorist group) which has been causing havoc throughout Turkey. It really makes sense for Israel, who has carried out more terrorist acts throughout the world, including America (USS Liberty, 9/11, etc) than all other countries combined, to support another terrorist organization. As always, whatever Israel wants, Israel gets and I'm sure that the decision to remove the MEK from our Terrorist List was prompted by Israel. Many of our elected representatives have benefited from the huge amounts of money they get from the MEK (mostly through illegal drug and human trafficking). Just ask the former governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell. Do the research and you will see that I am right.

Anonymous said...

The enemy of our enemy is not always our friend and I don't believe for one minute that
The Mujahedeen (MEK) are anything, but terrorists. They are a group of radical Islamists believing in jihad and they helped Khomeini overthrow the Shah of Iran. They may not like the current theocratic regime, but for them to say they want a secular government is laughable. They are hated not only by the current Iranian regime, but also by ordinary Iranians within Iran that also hate the current government. The peaceful activists of the Green movement want nothing to do with them. I believe taking them off of the terrorist list is a huge mistake, but hope very much to be proven wrong.

American Guest said...

So we removed Mossadegh because he was an anti-colonial in order to replace him with the King. In the late 1970s, Iran's Islamic revolution finally was able to rid Iran of the unpopular king that we had put into power replacing him with the Ayatollah. Now we are supporting the MEK, which is a Marxist militant group. Does anyone else see the irony here?

Anonymous said...

A very unwise and stupid move by the this administration to please Israel.

Anonymous said...

American Guest.

Mossadegh was never replaced by the King.Mossadegh was the Kings prime minister and was elected by a majority in parliament after the approval by the King.
There never was a democratically elected Mossadegh government.He was approved by parliament,that's all.
Mossadegh wanted to close down the parliament.A very bad move because under the constitution only the King can do that.He wanted to be commander in chief of armed forces, another bad move because only the King can be commander in chief under the constitution of 1906.
Go and read the Iranian Constitution of 1906 and then you will see what this is all about.

I also recommend others to do the same and go read the Iranian constitution of 1906 before they come and spread their propaganda.

The MEK help install Khomeini.The King was unpopular in the eyes of the highly active left and the extremist mullahs and their religious followers.And of course Jimmy Carter who hated the Shah.
Don't believe me? Go on Youtube and see Carters debate with President Ford in 1976.

This regime we have today in Iran is thousand times more unpopular than the Shah.This regime puts armed guards in every corner of the street in our cities because of fear of demonstrations.They have religious police stopping you for having your hair combed the wrong way! They imprison rape torture and murder.There are a number of mass graves all over Iran. The regime in Iran today is a barbaric medieval theocracy.

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:23 PM

The King was unpopular in the eyes of the highly active left and the extremist mullahs and their religious followers.

He was unpopular in the eyes of everyone of different political stripes, including the anti-left, except the monarchists, of course.

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:23PM

Despite cia's help monarchs doubt about their destiny and to end themself by a suicide... not by a constitution.

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:53 PM

Indeed. Here is a video about this cult/terror group.

Washington's Favorite Terrorists: Mujahedin-e Khalq

It's no wonder why Iran dislike US policies.

Anonymous said...

Anon 11:24 PM

"He was unpopular in the eyes of everyone of different political stripes,including the anti-left,excluding the monarchists, of course."


What a load of codswallop!

The ordinary non-political people of Iran were busy getting on with their lives until the poison of the Melli-Mazhabis,MEK and religious bigots united to make Iran commit suicide.

You continue with your Sisyphean of propaganda.

Anonymous said...

Anon 5:13 AM

Are you alright there?
You don't seem very well.
May need some help.

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:27 PM

What a load of codswallop!

Tell that to my grandfather who participated in the revolution. He was an ordinary person with no political affiliation. So were the rest of his apolitical friends that joined with him.

Anonymous said...

Mr Uskowi thank you for being non-biased and informative factual reporting like always and a word to those who are regime apologists posting on this blog:
Poor Iranian Fascist government led by a fake Ayatollah has no interest in Nukes and is in-fact a peace-loving country?
Is these nonsence of comments are being posted by Iranian spys? The Islamic-Nazi regime of Khamenini is an imperializt Racist Anti-semitic regime that is racing furiousely to obtain a Nuke.
Hopefully the USA and/or ISrael attacks and stops this insanity beofre it gets to the end game.
The MEK is an ally and will serve as a great government in Iran after US topples this Islamo-Nazi regime.

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:44 PM

Good for you and your "grandfather".
Now I really hope you all enjoy the hospitality of the murdering fascist mullah regime.

Anonymous said...

Anon 4:33 AM

Hopefully the USA and/or ISrael attacks and stops this insanity beofre it gets to the end game.

Advocating an attack on Iran is absurd and counterproductive. An attack on Iran would be great for Khamenei and Ahmadinejad. It will close the rift in the Iranian society within seconds, rally internal support around their flag and their leaders (as Anon 4:03 PM noted) and postpone any attempts at changing their regime from within.

The MEK is an ally and will serve as a great government in Iran after US topples this Islamo-Nazi regime.

The fact that you praised MEK confirms to me that you are a MEK apologist. As Anon 7:15 PM stated in his post, ordinary Iranians hated the MEK with good reason and there's no way in hell the Iranians would embrace MEK as an ally in spite of their shared opposition to the regime.

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:32PM

Looks like you are one of those "smart guys", but I see it is you who need some help...

These following information may can help you to clear (clean) your mind:

In 1979 Gen. R. Huyser (who came to Tehran uninvited) had asked shah (who supposed to only answer to the "1906 constitution") - "When are you leaving, sir?".

Before his trial Gen. Rabii (commander of the shah's air forces) said: - "Gen.Huyser threw the emperor out of the country like a dead mouse".

Dissident

Anonymous said...

Anon 12:41 PM

Non Dissident.

Everybody in the know is well aware that the US helped install Khomeini and his cohorts into power.

I'm well aware of the backstabbing by the US.You just admitted that.

Unknown said...

@persianpride 1:15
Please repost your comment minus the word "filthy" and it will be published.
Sorry

Anonymous said...

Emotions aside,the MEK serves a particular purpose as regards covert operations against the regime in Tehran.I compare them to hyenas who have only loyalty to themselves and will rip anything apart if it serves their purpose.
Don't forget the MEK were the ones that were highly organized against the Shah. With their armed attacks against the government of the time.
They were experts in assassinations during the early years of the present regime.So there are reasons why the US has taken them off the terrorist list.

Anonymous said...

@Jabbar Fazeli

Looks like PersianPride's post has already been published with the word "filthy" included. Whoever published his post doesn't agree with your assessment.

Unknown said...

@anon 8:26
Thanks or pointing that out. Comment is now deleted, but I must say that in fairness to my collegues, I must have been the one who published the comment inadvertently in my multitasking mode, without realizing,
In any case, diverse opinions are more than welcome, but gratuatous insults are not. Again, Sorry for that.

PersianPride said...

Anon 4:33 AM

The MEK is an ally and will serve as a great government in Iran after US topples this Islamo-Nazi regime.


Only a repulsive traitor (like you, for instance) would say MEK is an ally. This is the same group that allied with our worst enemy (much worse than our current regime). And if you think the Iranians will welcome them back with open arms after the regime falls then you're in for a rude awakening!

Anonymous said...

Anon 11:16 AM

Oh please don't call PersianPride a "repulsive traitor".

The repulsive traitors are the ones that are supporting and running the anti Iranian theocracy.

PersianPride has the right to voice his opinion without being branded a "repulsive traitor."

I'm not an MEK supporter.

Anonymous said...

Anon 5:16 PM

I'm not an MEK supporter.

Me neither, but MEK are repulsive traitors and should be classed in the same league as the theocratic regime even though they oppose the regime themselves.

PersianPride is correct to label them as such.

Anonymous said...

Looks like Maymoonparast received a rapturous welcome outside the United Nations,LOL!

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:57 AM

Who is Maymoonparast?

Anonymous said...

Anon 12:40 PM

The girlfriend of Anon 8:57 AM. LOL!

Anonymous said...

Anon 12:40 PM

Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic regime.

Anonymous said...

Anon 1:30 PM

That's how I deal with all Islamic regime stooges,turn them into sissy,LOL!

Anonymous said...

Anon 5:43 PM

Yeah, I'm sure that's how you deal with them... in your dreams, of course. LOL!

Anonymous said...

Anon 2:50 PM

Indeed. If Anon 5:43 PM actually deal with his so-called Islamic regime stooges in real life, then the stooges would be the ones who turn Anon 5:43 PM into sissy.

Anonymous said...

Anon 2:50 9:26 PM Same person

Sisyphean sissy terekmundeh Hojjatieh society,LOL!

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:27 PM

Nice try, dunghead. The author of this blog can vouch that I'm a different person.

Farid said...

Anon 5:43 PM

As an anti-regime supporter, I have clashed with the stooges back in 2009 election protests and let me tell you, they are anything, but sissies.

Anon 9:26 PM is correct. No offense to you, but you are a fool if you think you can turn those stooges into sissy.

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:25 PM

Congratulations for being such a pitiful liar!

Anonymous said...

Anon 4:47 PM

Congratulations for being such a dunghead!