MEK: GOI AND ASHRAF LEADERS STILL NOT SEEKING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001971 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2019 TAGS: PHUM PREL PTER PINR IR IZ SUBJECT: MEK: GOI AND ASHRAF LEADERS STILL NOT SEEKING COMMON GROUND REF: BAGHDAD 1947 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: A/PMA W.S. Reid III for reasons 1.4(b) & (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Camp Ashraf residents continue to stubbornly refuse to consider GOI Ashraf proposals. When presented with the message (reftel) from the GOI in a face-to-face meeting on July 19, Madame Mojgan Parsaie, leader of Camp Ashraf, reiterated the non-negotiable nature of placement of an Iraqi police station (IP station) on Camp Ashraf and the subsequent relocation of camp residents. Although Madame Parsaie attempted to again plead the case of Camp Ashraf residents to USG officials, citing international humanitarian rights, U.S. officials stressed that U.S. forces continue to maintain an oversight role over Camp Ashraf, not a security role, advising that now is the time for residents to work diligently in negotiating directly with the GOI to arrive at a mutually-agreeable solution. During a subsequent USG meeting with GOI Ashraf Committee Chairman, Ali Abdul Amir al-Yassery, the GOI reiterated their decision to move forward with their plans for a police station and deployment of a new site commander while assuring U.S. officials that they intended to conduct their plans in an humane manner. End Summary. MEK Reaction to GOI Plan: Incomprehensible and Non-Negotiable ¶2. (C) On July 19, acting Commander TF-134 and acting Pol-Mil Couns met face-to-face with Camp Ashraf residents to again inform the residents that a new site commander, COL Sadi, soon would be deployed to the camp. They also advised that plans were ongoing by the GOI to locate an IP station on Camp Ashraf and to subsequently relocate residents to another location in Iraq. This pronouncement was met with a re-declaration of their previous assertions ) placement of an IP station and relocation of residents are both non-negotiable. ¶3. (C) Regarding the new site commander, Madame Parsaie appeared to accept this news, claiming the residents would welcome a new commander. However, she stressed that their original position had not been altered by this news ) residents found the introduction of an IP station to be &incomprehensible,8 asserting that Camp Ashraf residents are not legal residents of Iraq and do not have weapons, thereby negating the need for IP in her mind. She stated the matter would not be solved by a new commander and requested that the matter be tabled until after the Iraqi elections in January 2010. (Comment. Madame Parsaie appears to believe that, should the PM not be re-elected, a new government may view the Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) in a more favorable light, softening their hard-line stance on relocation. This appears to be wishful thinking on her part. End Comment.) ¶4. (C) USG officials reiterated the Iraqi proposal to relocate the residents to Camp Echo, available after November, and offered to bring a delegation of camp residents to the new location for a tour of the new facility. Acting Commander TF-134 offered that residents could also make any suggestions for alterations that would be required by them for occupancy. Madame Parsaie stated that would be unnecessary as residents would "only relocate to Iran or die in Camp Ashraf." Conditions for Leaving Iraq ¶5. (C) Although Madame Parsaie rejected outright relocation to another location in Iraq, she suggested that Camp Ashraf residents might be willing to relocate to the United States, referring to a recent news article about Palestinian refugees. (Comment. It should be noted that there appears to Qrefugees. (Comment. It should be noted that there appears to be one thing that both Madame Parsaie and al-Yassery agree upon ) the desirability of relocation of the MEK to the United States. End Comment.) She also revealed that Camp Ashraf residents would be willing to be repatriated to Iran provided that the Government of Iran guarantees them in an official signed document to the USG, ICRC and UNHCR peaceful repatriation and existence in Iran. She stated the letter should provide assurances against torture, execution and imprisonment and guarantee residents freedom of speech, along with other freedoms not revealed, upon return to Iran. Madame Parsaie clarified that she was not seeking an amnesty or pardon letter from the Iranian government. "The Mullahs owe an apology to the people of Iran,8 she asserted. She also reiterated that the Iranian government would meet its demise within a year. ¶6. (C) USG officials ended the meeting reiterating that in the future USG officials will only visit when accompanying GOI officials and U.S. forces will continue to serve in an oversight capacity only, they said. GOI Reaction to MEK Intransigence ¶7. (C) On July 20, USG officials met with al-Yassery to discuss recent communications between the USG and residents of Camp Ashraf, assuring al-Yassery that the residents were informed about GOI plans and were further advised that the BAGHDAD 00001971 002 OF 002 USG would continue to serve in an oversight only role and that negotiation must now be conducted solely with the GOI. ¶8. (C) Al-Yassery proposed a joint visit to the camp on July 26 to introduce COL Sadi to the residents, stating that following the joint GOI-U.S. meeting COL Sadi would serve as the point of contact for the residents. He also expressed concern that residents would set up a blockade of the main gate prior to GOI officials, arrival. Acting Commander TF-134 informed al-Yassery that residents were advised that the GOI would be dealing with residents in a civilized and humane manner and it is in their best interests to act in the same manner. Al-Yassery affirmed this intention, but appeared anxious to begin the process. ¶9. (C) After being informed U.S. forces could not vacate Camp Echo any sooner than November, al-Yassery insisted that even if everything on the camp is not up to standard for a transfer, the GOI would accommodate any deficiencies in order to get the move to happen sooner. USG and GOI officials agreed to travel to Camp Ashraf on July 26 for a meeting with camp residents. ¶10. (C) Comment. Camp residents continue to deny the reality of their situation ) the GOI is going to place an IP station on Camp Ashraf and they are ultimately going to be relocated. Their hard-line resistance to an IP station and relocation, while continuing to rely on USG security, is setting them up for a rude awakening when the GOI decides to put their plan into action. Residents continue to underestimate the GOI,s determination to settle the MEK situation, which continues to challenge the GOI's sense of authority and sovereignty. Madame Parsaie,s continued belief that new Iraqi elections will be favorable to the MEK is wishful thinking and an effort to buy time. USG officials will continue to serve in a monitoring role, and, if necessary, remind GOI officials of their obligations to deal with Camp Ashraf residents in a manner consistent with the assurances the GOI has provided to the USG to treat individual residents humanely and in accordance with Iraq,s constitution, laws, and international obligations. End Comment. FORD