ASHRAF/MEK: GOI ASKS ICRC PRESIDENT ABOUT MOVING

C O N F I D E N T I A L GENEVA 000255


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2019
TAGS: IZ PHUM PREF PREL
SUBJECT: ASHRAF/MEK: GOI ASKS ICRC PRESIDENT ABOUT MOVING
CAMP

Classified By: Mark C. Storella, Charge d'Affaires, a.i., reasons 1.4.
b and d.


1. (U) During a briefing for Ambassadors on his recent trip
to Iraq, ICRC President Kellenberger mentioned how often the
situation of the Ashraf camp and the future of its Mujahedin
e Khalq (MEK) occupants had come up in conversations. He
noted that the issue was politically charged and understood
the GOI's discomfort, but noted that both International
Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Iraqi law provided certain
protections to the camp residents. Kellenberger stated that
the Ashraf group had considerable political support around
Europe, particularly in parliaments, and that ICRC continued
to receive a raft of mail and requests for appointments from
Europeans in defense of the Ashraf residents. Demonstrating
a whiff of exasperation, he mused that he may start telling
Europeans that if they are so concerned, why don't they just
resettle them all in their own countries.


2. (C) In an aside following the briefing, the Charge pressed
Kellenberger on what had been discussed with GOI officials
regarding Ashraf. Kellenberger said he had been called to a
meeting on short notice with the Iraqi National Security
Advisor on a Friday night to discuss the matter. The
official stated that Iraq was considering moving the camp to
a "less desirable" location and wanted Kellenberger's views.
Kellenberger said he declined to give the ICRC seal of
approval, which he thought was being sought. Rather, he
stressed again that IHL and the concept of non-refoulement
clearly applied. Beyond that, Iraqi law applied and he
implied that Iraqi law permitted such a move. He left the
decision squarely in the hands of the GOI, though, indicating
only that it needed to be made within domestic and
international legal boundaries. The Charge asked
Kellenberger if he thought there would be a bloodbath if the
camp were moved. Kellenberger admitted that there are bad
elements in Ashraf who could create problems. Noting also
that the MEK had been allied with Saddam, he stressed one
would also need to be careful about which Iraqis were
involved in an eventual move of the camp. He did not,
however, think significant violence was inevitable, if the
situation were handled carefully.
STORELLA