Recent UK Parliamentary Business Concerning the MKO

MKO (Iran/Iraq)

Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the MKO organisation and its aims for Iran; and what estimate he has made of the number of Iranian civilians who have lost their lives following explosions initiated by that organisation. [180662]

Mr. Rammell: The Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK or MKO) is a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000. It professes to be campaigning for democracy in Iran. But its record of violence extends over several decades. We have no independent confirmation of the number of people who have died at its hands. But the MEK itself has admitted to killing several thousand people since the 1979 revolution in Iran.

Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons he estimates are resident in the MKO training camp in Iraq; what protection is being given to the camp by the foreign troops in Iraq; and what plans are being made for the location or relocation of the camp residents and the materials in the camp after the transfer of power to the Interim Government in Iraq. [180663]

Mr. Rammell: About 3,800 people are detained at Camp Ashraf, the base of the Mojahedin-e Khalq in Iraq. They are under the protection of US forces, who have sole responsibility for them and the camp. Plans for the camp and the detainees during the transition period are a matter for the US authorities and the Iraqi Interim Government.

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Commons Written Answers
5 Jul 2004

MKO (Iran/Iraq)

Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answers of 28 June 2004, refs.180662 and 180663, if he will seek the advice of the Iraqi Interim Government on the steps they intend to take to deal with the 3,800 persons belonging to the proscribed terrorist organisation MKO who are housed in Camp Ashraf; and if he will propose that negotiations on the issue take place with the Government of Iran. [181818]

Mr. Rammell: Arrangements for Camp Ashraf are being considered by the Iraqi Interim Government in conjunction with the US authorities. We are in close touch with both. There are a number of governments with a legitimate interest in the plans for Camp Ashraf as these develop.

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Oral Answers to Questions
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
13 July 2004

8. Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend, East) (Con): If he will make a statement on relations with Iran. [183362]

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Jack Straw): The United Kingdom's relations with Iran are based on a policy of constructive but conditional engagement. We aim to support Iranian efforts to reform, while making clear our concerns about Iran's policies in areas such as its nuclear programme, human rights and its attitude to the middle east peace process.

Sir Teddy Taylor: Does the Secretary of State agree that Iran, which has suffered so much from the brutal bomb attacks from members of the Mujaheddin e-Khalq organisation—the MKO—should have a meaningful role in discussions on the future of its 3,800 members who are housed in Camp Ashraf in Iraq, which is at present protected by US forces? Would not such a step improve relations between Britain and Iran and confirm the US's declared opposition to international terrorism?

Mr. Straw: I fully understand Iran's concern about the MKO, which I, when I was Home Secretary, declared to be a terrorist organisation following the passage of the Terrorism Act 2000.

On the detainees at Camp Ashraf, I should point out to the hon. Gentleman that they are a matter for the Iraqi Government and the United States authorities; the United Kingdom is not directly involved. However, I am well aware of the concerns of the Iranian Government. We have made proper representations in the past to the United States Government and to the Iraqi provisional Government, and we will make those too to the Iraqi Interim Government.

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