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Iraq determined to expel MKO members
Iraq says it is determined to close Camp Ashraf and extradite members of the MKO on the grounds that they have performed acts of terrorism. In an interview on Friday, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said the Iraqi government is keen on implementing parliamentary measures to expel members of the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) for the sake of Baghdad-Tehran relations. "Iraq is determined to put an end to this [Mujahedin Khalq] Organization because it is effecting relations between Iran and Iraq. This organization participated in many operations that harmed Iranian and Iraqi civilians," he said. "Remaining in Iraq is not an option for them." Baghdad announced in a statement on Dec. 22 that MKO members at Camp Ashraf must close their training ground and leave the country no later than six months. Iraq has also drawn up a list of MKO members who must stand trial for the operations they have carried out in the war-torn country. The organization is notorious for the help it extended to former dictator Saddam Hussein in the massacre of Iraqi Kurds. The Iraqi premier asserted that his country would not succumb to US demands that Tehran be isolated over its nuclear activities. "Washington can never persuade the Iraqi government into isolating the Islamic Republic or any other country in the region for that matter," said the Iraqi premier. "We will continue cooperation with neighboring countries to promote our regional ties in line with our foreign policy and constitutional rights," added al-Maliki. The Iraqi prime minister is scheduled to visit Iran on Saturday. Posted by: Fred 2009-01-03 |
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