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Rice: US screening anti-Iran militants for terrorist links
US national security advisor Condoleezza Rice said in remarks published Thursday that the United States was screening members of the Iraq-based Iranian opposition Peopleâs Mujahedeen (MEK) for possible links to terrorism. Riceâs comments in an interview with The Washington Post came in response to an article in the newspaper Sunday describing an apparently easygoing relationship between US forces in Iraq and the 4,000 to 5,000 strong MEK, which Iran has outlawed for "terrorist" activities. "The story and such stories have been causing some confusion about American policy," Rice said. "We just wanted to make sure the reference is clear, that everyone understands where we stand on the MEK." She said the United States "remains committed to preventing the MEK, which is now contained in Iraq, from engaging in terrorist activities, including activities against Iran, and its reconstitution inside Iraq as a terrorist organization." Rice said the MEK, which was branded a terrorist group by the US State Department in 1997, was "part of the global war on terrorism," adding that its members "are being screened for possible involvement in war crimes, terrorism and other criminal activities." Besides the media reports to which Rice alluded, US forces in May reached a deal with the MEK, allowing it to gather in northeastern Iraq and putting its status as a terrorist organization under review as compensation for its cooperation with US forces and its commitment to democracy in Iran.We made a simple deal with them, you all come together in one place and lay down your heavy weapons, and we let you live. The MEK, also known by its Persian name Mujahedeen-e Khalq, was outlawed in Iran because of a record of political assassinations and bombings since 1981 and has been based in neighboring Iraq for the past 18 years. Guess Fred and Condi are on the same page. Posted by: Steve 2003-11-13 |
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