CONSULAR VISITS TO MEK/CAMP ASHRAF AMCITS

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000699 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR CA/OCS/ACS/NESA KIM RICHTER, L/LEI, NEA/I E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC SUBJECT: CONSULAR VISITS TO MEK/CAMP ASHRAF AMCITS REF: A. 09BAGHDAD553 ¶B. 08STATE058518 ¶C. 06STATE23421 -- PII Information Redacted from Message -- ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. As previously reported in an email to CA/OCS/ACS/NESA February 12, ConOffs met with the five AmCit residents of Camp Ashraf on December 31, 2008 and February 12, 2009. All five are in good condition. Despite Embassy encouragement to consider their futures as individuals outside of Camp Ashraf, they all expressed a strong desire to remain in the Camp. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) ConOffs met with the AmCit residents of Camp Ashraf on two occasions. The December 31st meeting was the first Consular visit since 2007. ConOffs met with the AmCits as a group and then individually. ConOffs briefly interviewed each of the subjects to determine if they were in fact American citizens, and inquired if they wanted to leave the Camp for the U.S. or other destinations. ConOffs offered to facilitate passport processing if the subjects wished to leave the Camp. ¶3. (SBU) On February 12, ConOff briefed the AmCits on the changed circumstances at the Camp (REF A),urged them to consider that the Camp would eventually close, and stated that they needed to think about their future as individuals outside of the Mujahedin e-Khalq (MEK). ConOffs also noted that while the U.S. does have a role in observing Iraqi interactions with the Camp, as of January 1, responsibility for the Camp and its residents reverted to the GoI. The AmCit residents understood the changed circumstances, but maintained their pre-programmed speeches about the MEK's role in opposing the Iranian government and reiterated their determination to remain in the Camp. During both meetings, the AmCits declined to apply for passports. ¶4. (SBU) ConOffs were able to confirm that two of the subjects (Elham Kiamanesh and Mohammed Bigdeli,) are American Citizens with existing PIERS records. They are also the subject of indictments in the U.S. (REF B) Kiamanesh is aware of the warrant for her arrest as she was so informed when she was denied a passport in 2006 (REF C). The charges against Bigdeli were filed subsequent to his passport application in 2006. His passport was printed and delivered to him, but was limited in validity and has since expired. He may not be aware of the charges against him. ¶5. (SBU) Another subject, Ali Reza Assazadeh, may be an AmCit, but ConOffs were unable to confirm his identity. His PIERS record shows a childhood photograph and additional due diligence must be conducted to determine identity. ¶6. (SBU) The two remaining subjects (Sahar Moadab and Gohar Mohajeri,) claim to be born in the U.S. However, their parents brought them to Camp Ashraf as infants and they have no documentation proving birth in the U.S. Another known AmCit, Kazem Tahmassebi, is deceased. ¶7. (SBU) The Camp Ashraf AmCits are as follows (detailed information exists in ACS ): Elham Kiamanesh, DOB XXXXXX Mohammad Bigdeli, DOB XXXXXX Ali Reza Assazadeh, DOB XXXXXX Sahar Moadab, DOB XXXXXX Gohar Mohajeri, DOB XXXXXX BUTENIS