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November
2002
Although the Mojahedin-e Khalq (People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran) was
listed in May 2002 by the European Union as a terrorist entity, another of
the Mojahedin's aliases, the National Council of Resistance of Iran was not
included in this list, allowing them to continue with their political
activities in Europe. The Mojahedin are now attempting to change their
identity yet again with the creation of the 'National Solidarity Front to
Overthrow Religious Dictatorship Ruling Iran'. (See statement of
the NCRI). This a clear attempt to distance themselves from their well-known
image as the 'Mojahedin-e Khalq' and as the 'NCRI'. However, regardless of
the membership of this new organisation, its head will still be Massoud
Rajavi and its stated aim is the 'overthrow' of the entire governing
apparatus of Iran.
Massoud Rajavi had been the
mastermind and owner of all the Mojahedin's activities and aliases since the
time of the 1979 revolution. There is no evidence that he has changed his
ideological position at all in this time. His stated aim has always been to
have "everything or nothing" as regards power in Iran. His only known
strategy for achieving this power has been by the use of arms. The use of
the NCRI and now a National Solidarity Front to 'disguise' these facts has
been fairly successful to date and many politicians remain ignorant of who
is actually at the head of these organisations, and what his actual
intention is. Unfortunately, this has allowed the NCRI to continue to
actively lobby for political, financial and social support throughout Europe
in a way that no other proscribed organisation has been able. It is hoped
that the 'National Solidarity Front to Overthrow Religious Dictatorship
Ruling Iran' will come under more critical scrutiny as to its constituent
membership, its fundamental aim and how it hopes to achieve this.
To our knowledge the only armed force under the leadership of Massoud Rajavi
is the Iraqi based National Liberation Army of Iran, which is armed, trained
and facilitated by Saddam Hussein. We assume that this army will be placed
at the disposal of the National Solidarity Front for when it wishes to
"Overthrow [the] Religious Dictatorship Ruling Iran". Since 1993, the
membership of the NCRI has comprised at least 95% of 'ideological' members
of the Mojahedin and devotees of Massoud Rajavi. That is, members who
ceremoniously resigned their membership of the Mojahedin in order to join
the NCRI as individuals. Yet each one remains ideologically committed to the
Mojahedin and to Massoud Rajavi and cannot therefore be regarded as holding
independent views.
Over the past few months, the Mojahedin or NCRI has been actively targeting
Iranians in Europe who have some standing in their communities, such as
academics, professionals or successful businessmen, in order to win their
support.
When news of Massoud Rajavi's intention to escape Iraq and take refuge in
Europe was exposed, the link between these activities was clear. As
explained in our previous brief, Iran Interlink believes that Rajavi will
want to come to Europe as a newsworthy personality. He no doubt thinks that
this might protect him from being persecuted, or arrested by the authorities
as an unwelcome figure. Rajavi hopes to use these respectable Iranians to
divert attention from his past. They may soon be asked to perform some
dramatic headline grabbing activity in order to pave the way for Rajavi's
arrival. The formation of the National Solidarity Front is an extension of
this plan. Rajavi hopes to create a smokescreen of political respectability
and to hide behind it.
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