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