IRAN MISSION COMPLAINS OF ANTI-GOI "TERRORIST"

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000832

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP PREL IR UN
SUBJECT: IRAN MISSION COMPLAINS OF ANTI-GOI "TERRORIST"
DEMONSTRATIONS


1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4 below.


2. USUN has received a diplomatic note from the Iranian
Mission to the UN complaining that demonstrators linked to a
terrorist group have been allowed to demonstrate in New York,
The note requests the USG prevent further demonstrations.
Text of the note follows in paragraph 3 below.


3. Begin text of Iranian note no. 214 of September 12, 2008:
(Complimentary salutation)... and has the honor to state the
following:
On 12 September 2008, dozens of members and supporters of the
terrorist group, Mujahedin Khalgh Organization (MKO),
demonstrated in front of the United Nations Headquarters in
New York against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The
demonstrators carried the flag and the emblem of the
notorious organization and the pictures of its infamous
leaders with them. We have learned that they intend to carry
out more demonstrations in coming days.
Giving permit (sic) to the supporters and members of a
terrorist group - which is also designated by the United
States as a terrorist group - to stage demonstrations and
propagate its evil cause amounts to legitimizing terrorism.
The United States is bound by its international obligations
to refrain from providing any form of support to the members
and supporters of the MKO terrorist groups. It is expected
that necessary measures will be taken by the United States
authorities to ban this terrorist group and prevent public
demonstrations by its members and supporters.
(Complimentary close). End text


4. The New York City Police Department has informed USUN
that "the Association of Iranian-Americans in New York" were
the sponsors of the September 12 demonstration. This group
plans to continue to demonstrate across the street from the
UN through the 19th of September, and then will hold a larger
rally (up to 500 people) at an alternate site on September 23
when as many as 120 heads of state and government will be in
town. The NYPD says it has never experienced problems with
this group and intends to permit the demonstrations while
monitoring them to make sure they do not spin out of control.
USUN requests that the Department provide guidance for a
reply to the Iranian Mission.
Khalilzad