National Sovereignty Exercised

02 August 2009 | 02:36 Code : 5272 Middle East.

Political observers comment on the Iraqi government’s control over the Ashraf Camp and the future of MKO

Another turmoil in Iraq. But this time it is not taking place in Baghdad or Basra but in northern Iraq in the middle of dessert and inside the Ashraf Camp controlled by Mojahedeen Khalgh Organization. The camp has been uneasy during the recent days. MKO leaders are trying to prove that the Islamic Republic of Iran is behind the strike and the Iraqi government has launched the anti-MKO operation due to Tehran’s demand.

The Iraqi government denies the allegation however and says that it only intended to set up a security base in the area when it faced MKO’s resistance and attack. MKO members claim that during the recent days the Iraqi police has killed 11 and wounded about 20 members of the organization according to Al-Arabiya. It is said that deputy to Masoud Rajavi, leader of MKO, is also among the wounded.

In a news conference, spokesman of the Iraqi government Ali Dabbagh denied the death of Ashraf Camp residents and said: "as a part of efforts to establish security and order across the country, the Iraqi police merely intended to construct a police station in a part of its territory when MKO members clashed with the police. But no one has been killed during this incident".

Iranian Diplomacy has contacted Ahmed el-Yaseri, correspondent working in Iraq’s prime ministry office to receive more details of the event. According to el-Yaseri: "MKO is the unfortunate legacy of Saddam Hussein’s era. The Iraqi government is deeply discontented with their residence in its territory. Washington wanted to support them during Bush’s presidency and even linked them to Pentagon and U.S. intelligence services. However, they gradually found out that Mojahedeen are just fetters and add to their expenses. With the new president and foreign policy shift, Washington’s policy regarding the MKO changed. With full cognizance, the American government ceded the control of Ashraf Camp to Iraq and only asked for observation of human rights. The Iraqi government has adhered to human principles and there is nothing to complain about."

El-Yaseri adds on that: "the episode started when under Interior Ministry’s supervision, the Iraqi police decided to construct a security establishment in the camp. However, MKO members showed tough resistance as if the camp is their own territory or patrimony. They had told the Iraqi police that entering ’their soil’. This is an astonishing claim indeed. The Iraqi government has tolerated them so far but it is not going to put up with the hardship resulting from their presence. We are not fond of MKO. They have Iraqis’ blood on their hand and everyone considers them a terrorist group. However, more than 1000 MKO members are going to return to Iran and based on agreements, their extradition will start shortly."

MKO leaders, who reside in Europe, have given assent to extradition, provided that it is carried out under Red Cross supervision. El-Yaseri’s claim that Americans are tired of MKO is confirmed when we know that operation in Ashraf Camp is launched while U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates in visiting Iraq. The American embassy in Baghdad has also stated that the camp’s security is in hands of the Iraqi government and the Iraqi police force has the right to take necessary actions.

Senior advisor to the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq Seyyed Mohsen Hakim also told Iranian Diplomacy that: "to reinforce national sovereignty and put law in force across the country, the Iraqi government decided to construct a security establishment in order to have control over the Ashraf Camp. But it faced the tough reaction of MKO members who attacked it with stones, tear gas and sound bombs. After 25 policemen were wounded the Iraqi government was compelled to use force and arrest 30 members of this terrorist organization."

Hakim adds: "MKO is a crushed organization which is only struggling to attract international attention and get some bonus. Since many members of the organization are going to return to Iran, the leadership is trying to derive support from an international organization. Iranian and Iraqi diplomats are negotiating over the extradition mechanism and will arrive at the conclusion shortly. Of course, there are about 900 members who hold Western countries’ citizenship. The Iraqi government has had talks with 12 European embassies to return these people."

Hakim stressed that the Iraqi government has only cemented its rule over the camp and will not retract its decision at any condition since MKO is a terrorist organization and its members should leave the Iraqi territory as soon as possible. The Iraqi government is sure that this group has been behind some terrorist activities and has been Saddam Hussein’s accomplice during the rule of Baath regime. Both the government and parliament agree that they should leave Iraq without delay.