AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES WAY AHEAD ON MUJAHEDIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002234

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM PINS PTER ICRC IZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES WAY AHEAD ON MUJAHEDIN
E-KHALQ (MEK) WITH ICRC IRAQ HEAD

REF: BAGHDAD 2105

Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador met July 9 with the Head of the
Iraq Delegation of the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC),Juan-Pedro Schaerer, to discuss a way ahead on
the status of the Mujahedin e-Khalq (MEK) at Camp Ashraf.
The ICRC is consulting with USG and GOI stakeholders and
appears willing to explore a role in monitoring Ashraf to
ensure humane treatment of residents after the transfer of
authority from MNF-I to GOI. Schaerer has requested a
meeting with MEK leadership in Baghdad and hopes to visit the
camp before the end of July if secure travel can be arranged.
ICRC plans to visit Ashraf independently at first, but would
be agreeable to subsequent joint visits with Minister of
Human Rights Wijdan. The ICRC also plans to hold discussions
with MEK leadership regarding family visits to MEK members in
the camp. END SUMMARY.

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Baghdad Meetings
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2. (C) Juan-Pedro Schaerer, Head of the Iraq Delegation of
the ICRC met with Ambassador July 9 at Embassy to discuss an
increased role for the ICRC in Iraq, much of which centered
on the future of the MEK in Iraq. Also present were Laurent
Saugy, ICRC Iraq Delegation Protection Coordinator; POL/MIL
Counselor and Deputy Counselor; Senior Refugee/IDP
Coordinator; and POL/MIL Officer (notetaker). Schaerer was
in Baghdad to discuss a way ahead on the MEK with USG and GOI
stakeholders including the Ambassador, MNF-I, the Ministry of
Human Rights (MoHR),Ministry of Interior, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Prime Minister Salih. Although
Minister of Human Rights Wijdan Salim is currently out of the
country (see reftel),the ICRC planned to meet with ministry
staff July 10. Schaerer told Ambassador that the Minister is
comfortable discussing the MEK, and that she knows that it is
not a "one-day solution."

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Unilateral Meetings with the MEK
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3. (C) Noting that the MEK are calling ICRC on a daily basis,
Schaerer told Ambassador that he was working with MNF-I to
arrange a meeting with MEK leaders in Baghdad on July 20 or

21. ICRC was working to arrange a visit to Camp Ashraf
within the month. ICRC plans to conduct this visit
unilaterally, without USG or GOI partnership. They plan to
explain the ICRC position that the ICRC must talk with
individuals without MEK leadership present, during their
visit. He hoped they would be able to meet with some.
Schaerer intended to impress on the MEK leadership that the
principle of non-refoulement can only apply to individuals.
It is not a collective concept. Noting that RDML Wright, of
Task Force 134, was planning to organize a census of the
Ashraf population, Schaerer wondered whether it would be
possible to find a way in that process to question
individuals about their desires. Illustrating the control
exerted by the MEK leadership, Schaerer said that ICRC had
stopped delivering family messages to Ashraf because they
believed they were not being delivered to the addressees.
Schaerer noted that the timing of the visit will depend on
finding safe air and ground travel routes to the camp. He
said ICRC would notify MNF-I of its movement plans in
advance. After the initial visit, Schaerer said he would be
prepared for joint visits with GOI and USG representatives.
At the same time, Schaerer stressed ICRC's sensitivity about
not wanting to be seen as an implementing agency of the U.S.
and Iraqi governments. He added that he does not want ICRC's
activities publicly mentioned without advance consultation
with ICRC. Ambassador replied that he thought that the GOI's
mention of ICRC had been with good intentions to show its
assurance to adherence to international standards.

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No Reports of Trouble for Returnees to Iran
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4. (C) Schaerer told Ambassador that the ICRC has had
discussions with the Government of Iran regarding the return
of MEK members to Iran and noted that, to the ICRC's
knowledge, none of the former MEK members who have returned
to Iran have reported problems. Schaerer noted that six of
the Ashraf Refugee Camp (ARC) refugees who moved to the KRG
had recently returned voluntarily without ICRC assistance to
Iran. Eight other former ARC residents had met with the
Iranian Consul in Erbil as had ICRC. At the same time,

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Schaerer said that many returnees prefer not to have contact
with the ICRC and that none were of the "Top 40-50" members
whom the Iranian authorities have expressed interest in
prosecuting.

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Transfer of Authority Timeline
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5. (C) Responding to a question regarding a possible timeline
for the transfer of authority over the camp from MNF-I to the
GOI, Ambassador told Schaerer that that the USG must receive
assurances from the GoI regarding the treatment of Ashraf
residents before transferring control of the camp to the GOI.
Schaerer responded by noting that the Prime Minister's
office told him that assurances would not be a problem.

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Family Visits
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6. (C) Regarding family visits to MEK members at Camp Ashraf,
Schaerer told Ambassador that he plans to raise the issue
with MEK leadership during his upcoming visit. In response
to Schaerer's question as to whether the USG could find
countries for resettlement, Ambassador noted the USG had
tried everything possible, but that it could be worth
additional effort if there were some indications of
willingness on the part of resettlement countries. Schaerer
responded by submitting that France might be a possibility
for resettlement. However, the Ambassador noted that France
may oppose an EU effort to de-list the MEK. Ambassador
stated that the U.S. could not resettle former MEK members.

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Comment
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7. (C) This was a positive meeting, noteworthy for Schaerer's
expressions of interest in continuing to work closely albeit
quietly with the USG and GOI to seek humane treatment and
resolution of the status of the MEK members inside Iraq. It
appears that the organization is willing to consider a role
in monitoring at Ashraf to ensure humanitarian treatment when
the GoI takes on a more direct role at the camp.
CROCKER