Iraq: Diyala condemns Iran meddling, welcomes Mujahedeen-Khalq

June 18, 2007

NCRI - Reuters reported on Sunday, June 17 from Baghdad, that the Iraqi tribal leaders and local politicians and parliamentarians from the Iraqi province of Diyala in a conference condemned the Iranian meddling in Iraq and voiced their support for the presence of the Iranian opposition, People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), in Diyala province, on Saturday. They stated the organization contributes to the stability and security of the province.

A statement issued by the Solidarity for Peace and Freedom Conference, a copy of which was received by Reuters, stated that the representatives from the Diyala province attending the conference condemned meddling of the Iranian regime in the Iraqi province.

According to the Reuters Abdul Karim Zahiri, Coordinator of the National Front for the Salvation of the Diyala province which comprises majority of tribal leaders in the province said, the Conference presented evidence and documents on the intervention of the Iranian regime in the Province, which undermines the security through killings carried out by the militias supported by the Iranian Quds Force of the Iranian intelligence.

“Saleh Mutalk, head of the National Dialogue Front and Dr. Abdullah al-Jabouri, former governor of Diyala, attended the conference that was held in the Ashraf Camp, which is located north-west of the city of Baquba and is used by the PMOI.

According to Reuters, the Conference statement said, Massoud Rajavi, Leader of Iranian Resistance in a message to the conference saluted the participants and said the Iranian regime has been implementing a phased plan aimed at the occupation of Iraq since 2003 and continues to do so.

“This Organization since four years ago has warned of the danger of the occupation of Iraq by the Iranian regime, which is hundreds of times more dangerous than Iranian nuclear threat.

“The Iranian regime tries to pretend that it is strong and claims hegemony over the Middle East and the Islamic World, while in reality it is at the point of disintegration," the statement quoted Rajavi.

450 thousand in Diyala, Iraq support for Mojahedin in Ashraf City

Al-Sharq Al-Awsat

June 17, 2007

Baghdad - More than ten thousand Iraqis from Diyala province and north and south of Iraq yesterday in a gathering expressed their solidarity with the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran in the framework of the solidarity for peace and freedom in Iraq.

Al-Sheikh Mazen Habib Al-Keyzaran, head of Al-Ezza tribe in Iraq said in the conference that the Iraqi tribes of Diyala in a statement signed by 450 thousand inhabitants, expressed full solidarity with the Mujahideen Khalq (MEK), whose members reside at Camp Ashraf guarded by multinational forces.

The conference intended "revealing Iranian interventions in Iraq in general and especially in the Diyala province," and called for unity of all ranks against foreign interventions. It demanded the organized Iranian opposition to remain in Diyala province as the only capable force to stop these interventions. and to expose the role of the Iranian influence destabilizing the region.

Al-Sheikh Mazen told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that the deteriorating situation in Diyala is caused by external interventions, and the role of tribes is not clear because those interventions undermine that role, but there was unanimity among the tribes that each tribe should maintain the security of its region, and there are future steps that will contribute to stabilize the situation in the province.

Mohsen Nadi member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran said, the Conference emphasized the need for the unity and solidarity of the democratic political forces of Iraq and Iraqi community leaders, and chiefs to prevent Iranian interference in the province of Diyala.

Nadi told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, The Iranian regime is the main source of crisis in the whole region, and the Iranian intervention is attributed to its internal political crisis and economic plight, that intends to export it outside to protect itself.

Nadi added that his organization emphasized that the Iranian regime's conspiracies and plots in Diyala province has taken a larger scale, because the control of this province is extremely important due to its common border with Iran, which is about 240 kilometers.

The Iranian regime tried for the last four years to impose hegemony on this province employing the legions affiliated with Quds Force by some officials loyal to it to implement its policies on the province, and among these attempts are fueling sectarian violence under religious slogans to eradicate its opponents on the one hand and prevent progressive and patriotic forces from entering into future political process on the other hand.

UN Report: Iraqi Government violating Rights of the Residents of Ashraf City, Iraq

June 16, 2007

NCRI - In a report to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the right to food, expressed concern that the Iraqi government had suspended food, fuel and medicine rations to the residents of Ashraf City, Iraq, where 3800 Iranian dissidents are residing.

The U.N. Special Rapporteur warned the Iraqi authorities that their actions amount to the violation of the obligation to respect the right to food and water in a non-discriminatory manner.

The following is the text of the segment dealing with the situation of the residents of Ashraf City:

On 17 October 2006 the Special Rapporteur wrote to the Government about allegations that access to subsidized food for the residents of Camp Ashraf is no longer available, thus affecting people’s right to sufficient food and means for its procurement.

According to these allegations, more than a year ago the relevant authorities introduced the practice of denying on a discriminatory basis to current and former family members and associates of the Mujahideen-e Khalq residing at Camp Ashraf food allocations at a level and price commensurate with what is supplied to other citizens living in Diyala Province, to which they were formerly entitled.

As a result, the people concerned have to buy at the market those food items which they cannot produce or grow locally, including sugar, which is very important in their diet, at prices which continue to increase due to inflation. In addition, when traders cannot reach Camp Ashraf to bring in the necessary food items, its residents have to go to Baghdad to buy food, a journey that carries great security risks despite being escorted by the Multinational Force.

On 17 July 2006 the water pipeline that stretches 26 km from the pumping station near the Tigris River to Camp Ashraf was damaged by a series of explosions. This allegedly affected the access of the residents and nearby villages to water for drinking, cooking and hygiene purposes for around two weeks. Irrigation was also reportedly disrupted by the explosions.

On 22 July 2006 the relevant authorities decided to suspend all fuel and oil supplies to Camp Ashraf, including hospitals, which could potentially affect the diet of its residents due to limited fuel for cooking and access to water.

In the Special Rapporteur’s view, these facts could lead to a violation of the obligation to respect the right to food and water in a non-discriminatory manner if the relevant authorities do not take appropriate measures to restore the food and fuel allocations for the residents of Camp Ashraf.