MEPs Dancing with Terrorists

Karim Haghi Moni, January 12, 2007

This week Mr. Paulo Casaca (Member of the European Parliament for Portugal's Socialist Party) and André Brie (member of Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left of Germany) both members of the European Parliament paid a 4 day “good will” tour of Camp Ashraf in the outskirts of Baghdad.

Camp Ashraf is operated by the terrorist organization of Mojahedin-e Khalq of Iran. Mojahedin-e Khalq of Iran, also known as MKO, is listed on the terrorism list of many countries such as U.S.A, UK, Canada as well as the European Union. MKO described the visit of Mr. Casaca and Brie to Camp Ashraf as a visit by an “Official” delegation from EU parliament, with the approval of EU union.

However false these claims are this still puts into doubt the intentions and respect that the EU Parliament holds when they let members of their own organization visit a known terrorist group in their home base. The presence of Paulo Casaca and André Brie in Camp Ashraf goes against the listing of MKO in EU parliament list of Terrorist Organizations. During the current chaotic and violent conditions in Iraq, the MKO have been dealing and continuing their close relationship with Baathist party members in contributing to destabilize and undermine the Iraqi government.

The MKO uses the hundreds of millions of dollars that the former Iraqi regime delegated from Iraqi Oil-for-Food program, to fund and support former Baath party members in setting up numerous Newspapers, TV stations and Radio Channels in order to fight against an extradition from Iraq.

The Mojahedin also share their diplomatic and international connections with the groups that they fund in order to get more publicity and support. By backing up these groups who in the past used to be part of the Iraqi regime, they now seek to gain mainstream support by the Iraqi people.

During the visit to Camp Ashraf by Paulo Casaca and André Brie, the Mojahedin gathered more then 4000 poor and hungry Iraqis to a lavishly set up dinner and food buffet where their presence provided the seemingly public support among ordinary Iraqis. Back when Taliban controlled and ruled over Afghanistan, you could hire a soldier for no more then 3 Dollars a day and unfortunately the same applies in today’s Iraq where because of dire conditions and extreme poverty among Iraqi people, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to buy yourself the support from the hungry masses.

The close connection of Mr. Paulo Casaca with the terrorist organization of Mojahedin raises suspicion towards the credibility of his goals of a free and democratic Iran, and also the credibility of the European Parliament who until now have chosen to look the other way in regards to Mr. Casaca.

We’re asking the EU parliament anti-Terror department and delegation to make a statement in regards to Mr. Casaca's visit to Camp Ashraf . Please do not ignore this shameful act by Mr. Paulo Casaca. Last but not least we are adding a short clip of Mr. Paulo Casaca's visit to Camp Ashraf where he dined and danced with members of MKO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPQ0zlJyu98

Iran-Interlink Editor Comment:

The celebrations which Paulo Casaca and André Brie attended were held to 'celebrate' the judgement of the Court of First Instance in Case T-228/02. The assembled combatants had been told by Casaca that the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organisation had been removed from the EU terrorist list. This blatant lie was told to a group of captives (Rajavi cult members) who have no possibility of finding the truth about this judgement.

The fact is that the Mojahedin remains unequivocally listed as a terrorist entity in the EU, UK, USA and Canada. The judgement annulled the Council of the European Union's decision ordering the freezing of the funds of the Mojahedin in the fight against terrorism. The judgement was made on a procedural basis and has no material effect on the actual status of the Mojahedin, including its funding.

For Mr Casaca to pretend otherwise is a clear abuse of his position as a member of the European Parliament. The only purpose of such a claim - that the MKO is no longer listed as terrorist in Europe - is to deceive those to whom it is made. We must ask Mr Casaca what his reasons are for taking part in such deceit.

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