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An Iranian Opposition Inside Iraq
December 22, 2008 12:25 PM
By MIKE GUDGELL, Bureau Chief, ABC News Baghdad
The fate of more than 4,000 members of an Iranian opposition group living inside Iraq is now uncertain.
Most live in the city of Ashraf, north of Baghdad. It’s an oasis in the middle of chaos. It’s a clean, “green” city with broad streets, fountains and bustling markets. Ashraf is a place that works. It’s safe and women hold important positions in a democratic form of government. It is an Iranian city inside one of the most violent areas of Iraq.
The People’s Mujahadeen of Iran once had the support of Saddam Hussein. The MEK, the military force, fought against Iran in the long war between Iraq and Iran. Now the PMOI works to limit Iranian influence in Iraq and ultimately wants a democratic government in Iran that is “based on the goals and decisions of the Iranian people.” A representative told ABC News that the PMOI is the “best alternative for change in Iran.”
The friend of our friend’s enemy is our friend.
The Iraqi government has close ties to Iran and has repeatedly demanded that the anti-Iranian group leave Iraq. The government issued a statement today saying, “Staying in Iraq is not an option for them.” The U.S. government may share the goal of the PMOI but, like many countries, it has officially put the PMOI on a “terrorist” organization list. The United States can’t officially support a terrorist group even if it is dedicated to opposing the Iranian government.
The PMOI or MEK has an extensive web of informants in Iran. “The fact is we learned about the Iranian nuclear program at an MEK press conference,” said Congressman Brad Sherman. He’s working to start a process to review the group’s terrorist label.
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad would not comment on the problem but a source familiar with the situation called it a “multilayered life and death dilemma.” U.S. soldiers guard Ashraf but are preparing to turn the area over to Iraqi security forces.
December 22, 2008 in Mike Gudgell | Permalink | User Comments (6)
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PMOI is a terrorist group who killed a lot of innocent people in Iran.and still commit terrorist activities in Iraq and they all need to be put away.and any nation that support them would be considered terrorist.And any one who use their ideas or information they provide are noting but idiots.Now who would really listen to this terrorist group anyway?except the terrorists like themselves.
Posted by: hajiali | Dec 22, 2008 1:56:41 PM
Not the Business of the United States to determine who other people should elect for their government. The US War on Terrorism is now recognised as nothing but Hypocrisy and a cover for US expansion. Changing the law to remove the PMOI or MEK from a list of terrorist organisations is a good example of that hypocrisy. Whenever our government gets involved in killing people and meddling in their affairs, it is the people of the United States who pay the price. 9/11 and Lockerbie are examples of that push back.
Posted by: JoeForSure | Dec 22, 2008 8:45:35 PM
Our foreign policy needs to change.
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Posted by: candy | Dec 23, 2008 4:29:00 AM
Iranian ladies are hot!
Posted by: Jazz | Dec 23, 2008 1:55:25 PM
Check out this recent article about the EU terror listing of the PMOI/MEK:
"The EU Council of Ministers - Criminals or just sadly incompetent?"
http://newsblaze.com/story/20081224161357zzzz.nb/topstory.html
Posted by: Sven | Dec 25, 2008 11:29:40 AM
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