Iraqi governing council expels Mujahidee Khalq, Washington denies a deal
Iraq-USA, Politics, 12/10/2003

The interim governing council in Iraq "has unanimously decided to expel members of the armed opposition " Mujahidee Khalq, the main opposition for the regime in Iran, from Iraq "within a period of time not to exceed the end of the current year" because of "the black history of this organization."

The council also permitted putting this organization on trial "because of its crimes against the people of Iraq and asked it for compensation."

However, the statement did not explain the next destination of members of this organization, which the US denied on Monday to be ready to exchange them with Tehran in a deal on members of al-Qaida organization stationed on the Iranian territories.

A statement issued by the council said "the governing council on Tuesday unanimously issued a decision to expel the Iranian Mujahidee Khaleq organization from the Iraqi territories." The council relates its study to the bad history of the organization, and its "crimes conducted against our people." The decision stated to expel members of the movement "in a period not to exceed the end of the current year."

The decision also stated to "close the headquarters of the organization and prevent its members from practicing any activity until they leave." It also stated to "confiscate the money of the organization, its weapons, and annexing it to the fund of the victims of the fascist regime ( former Iraqi regime)." The decision also considered that the "Iraqi individuals and establishments has the right to sue the organization for its crime against the Iraqi people and demand it to compensate for that from its asserts inside and outside Iraq."

Some 4,000 members of Mujahidee Khaleq "are currently in a camp in Mazaar Ashraf," to the north of Iraq, under the supervision of the American occupation forces.

Worthy mentioning that both the US and the EU listed the movement on the terrorist organizations list.

The spokesman for the US Department Of State Richard Boucher said on Monday: we admit that Iran in the past handed over members of al-Qaida to other countries, and despite that, we do not know that a progress is attained regarding members of al-Qaida currently held in Iran, including persons we suspect as senior officials in al-Qiada organization.

Boucher added that the US did not vow in any of the talks to hand over members of Mujahidee Khaleq in exchange for members of al-Qaida. He stressed that the Iranian opposition are now being interrogated by the American forces to decide on how to deal with them legally.

Previous Stories:
  Visiting US scholars to Iraq: US serious mistakes in approach to security and future elections   (12/4/2003)
  Tareq Aziz surrenders to US forces; Rumsfeld warns Iran   (4/25/2003)
  Iraqi march against occupation; US reject French proposal to end sanctions   (4/23/2003)
  Iraq, Iran agreement to halt Mujahidee Khalq activities   (1/31/2002)

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