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