LONDON - In an interview with Anne Singleton of Iran-Interlink, Dr. Mowaffak al Rubaie, Iraq ’s national security advisor clarified his approach to the Government of Iraq’s decision to remove the Iranian terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK, aka MKO, PMOI) from the country.
Responsibility for Camp Ashraf was handed over to the Government of Iraq by the Coalition Forces in January this year. Since then, Dr. al Rubaie’s plan for the difficult task of dismantling an extremist cult has revealed an enlightened, humanitarian approach which could become a blueprint for tackling similar organisations worldwide.
Dr. al Rubaie explained, “This is an indoctrinated and tightly disciplined organization of extremist zealots who have employed terrorism and at times even self-immolation to secure their aims. In normal everyday language we can say that they have been “brainwashed”. He added, “The Government of Iraq does not deal with the MEK as an organization. We deal with the residents as individuals.”
Under observation by the ICRC and the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights, Dr. al Rubaie has focused efforts to protect the individuals inside the camp following allegations that human rights abuses are being perpetrated by MEK leaders against the residents. To this end he said, “We believe that if we can separate individuals from the all-encompassing domination by their leaders, we can allow them to begin to exercise their rights as individuals and make appropriate choices. That is, we hope to remove them from the toxic effects of their indoctrination and leaders.”
In response to the many obstacles thrown up by the MEK to their removal from Camp Ashraf, Dr al Rubaie told Iran-Interlink, “The Iraqi Army unit posted to defend and secure Camp Ashraf has exercised patience and extreme restraint in spite of the staged provocations and demonstrations that Ashraf’s self-appointed leaders have launched in defiance of the legitimate exercise by the Government of Iraq of its sovereignty.” “Ashraf is not above the law,” said Dr. al Rubaie.
Asked what can the UK , European and other western governments do to help resettle the MEK, Dr. al Rubaie replied, “These governments can agree to allow their citizens and others who have status in their country to return.”
For the full interview see iran-Interlink.org
Contact: Anne Singleton +44-1132780503 +44-7876541150 editor@iran-interlink.org
Source: Iran-Interlink
Contact: Anne Singleton, +44-1132780503, +44-7876541150, editor at iran-interlink.org
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