PARSI: Deciding the fate of the Mujahedin

trita parsi is well known to be a lobbyist for the iranian regime. how shameful that he accused mojahedin of celebrating on 9/11.

It is quite a surprise to see that a well-known agent of the Iranian regime gets a free column in this newspaper. The PMOI – unarmed since 2003 – has tirelessly been engaged in educating the public about the threats of the Iranian regime and has been instrumental in saving many lives of American soldiers by revealing information about the Iranian regimes deadly network in Iraq. Contrary to the claim in this article, US Army officials and many other independent sources have time and again confirmed that no PMOI members are held against their will in Camp Ashraf. No Iranian – except Members and paid agents of the murderous regime in Tehran – ever calls the heroic PMOI members as terrorists. No one doubts that the only party who is engaged in demonizing the PMOI and wants Ashraf Camp to be dissolved is the Iranian regime – yet another proof of the writer’s full obeisance to his bosses in Tehran. Its worth to note that the Iranian regime – squeezed out between internal crises and foreign pressure - is increasingly forced to recognize the importance of the Iranian PMOI/MEK by mobilizing all its forces to demonize them.

I think the U.S. government must be more concerned of having Trita Parsi, a well known agent and spy of the terrorist Ayatollahs in their backyard than anything else. Once again as expected, he is shamelessly regurgitating what his masters in Tehran say about the main opposition organization, the MEK. These are old accusations and have been repeatedly answered by MEK on different occasions. First and foremost, I really suggest that Homeland Security start looking into Mr. Parsi's suspicious connections with the mullahs if they have not already done so. Even labeling MEK as terrorists took place as a result of Mullahs' regime lobby in this country. In 1997 as was reiterated by Clinton administration, they labeled MEK as a show of goodwill towards Khatami, the so-called moderate president of the fundamentalist regime. Trita Parsi is in no position to decide the fate of Mojahedin. He is way too well known as an agent of the Iranian regime within the Iranian Diasporas. Nobody really takes him seriously!

This article is exactly what I expect from the mouthpiece of the mullahs in Washington, Trita Parsi. If one believes propaganda and lies disseminated by the mullahs, then he/she should believe Parsi as well.

What is worrying me, as an independant journalist writing from time to time on Iran, is not the fact that text very much ressembling the sophisticated propaganda cooked by Iran's mullahs find its way to the Times' columns, but rather to find out that preachers of approachment with that regime, who according to their own literature seek reintegration of the medieval regime in power in Tehran and keep good ties with it, get as lengthy a coverage as this article, and that in a paper respected for its firm position towards regimes such as that in power in Iran.

This is not the first time that Tritra Parsi, an active lobbyist for the Iranian regime, is doing mullahs’ bidding for them. While the mullahs and Mr. Parsi have repeatedly claimed that Mojahedin are finished, non existence, and ineffective, they have worked hard to smear and demonize them. Case in point: Trita Parsi has written 23 anti-MEK articles in the past few years. Mr. Parsi is definitely acting more than just a “scholar” opining on a trivial issue! In July 08 he invited two known agents of the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security to the Congress. The US Homeland Security stooped these terrorists from entering the country. This invitation was so bizarre and so out of (mullahs') closet for Trita Parsi that he attempted to disguise it even from NIAC members. The invitation was sent by Trita Parsi but from a Johns Hopkins University e-mail address (in clear violation of JHU policies). The text of the invitation was: __________________________________ From: Trita Parsi [mailto:tparsi@jhu.edu] Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 1:16 PM To: Trita Parsi Subject: A U.S.-Iran Proxy War? The Case of the Mujahedin Khalq Date: Thursday, July 30, 2008 Time: 11:30-1:00 PM ROOM: HC-8, Capitol Building NAtionall Iranian American Council CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO APOLICY BRIEFING LUNCHEON A U.S.-Iran Proxy War? The Case of the Mujahedin KhalqSpeakers: Massoud Khodabandeh, Founder of Iran Interlink Anne Singleton Author of Saddam’s Private Army Is the United States involved in a proxy war against Iran using a terrorist organizations? Despite the Mujahedin Khalq’s (MKO/MEK) inclusion on the United States Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list, press reports indicate that the U.S. is supporting the group to carry out attacks against Iran in an attempt to destabilize the Iranian government. With 3,800 MEK fighters in U.S. controlled territory in Iraq, the State Department will announce the results of its five year review of the group and its FTO status in October 2008. Join us on July 30th as we look at the MEK's role in U.S.-Iran policy and examine whether they are an asset or burden to the United States. Former MEK members, Massoud Khodabandeh and Anne Singleton, will share their insights on the group’s inner workings and capabilities. Open to Members and Staff Only RSVP by July 29 COB to Sara Shokravi at rsvp@niacouncil.org or (202) 386-6324 Sponsored by the Ploughshares Fund, Kenbe Foundation, The Pluralism Fund, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund

Where does one begin? The Iranian American community is well aware of the fact the Trita Parsi does the Iranian regime's bidding here in the States. The manifesto and roadmap for Parsi's National Iranian American Council was presented and discussed at a conference organized by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Ministry of Culture and Guidance in Cyprus in 1999. We should not be fooled by Parsi's crocodile tears for members of Iran's largest democratic opposition, the MEK/PMOI. In fact his article is riddled with propoganda and lies regarding the MEK. The MEK/PMOI has the documented support of over 5.2 million Iraqi's dating back to the summer of 2006. This past summer 3 million Iraqi Shi'ites (who the Iranian regime claimed supported their aspirations) condemned the Iranian regime and supported the MEK/PMOI members in Camp Ashraf. This so called terrorist cult brought together 70,000 Iranians in Paris last June attened by hundreds of parliamentarians from Europe and the Middle East. This so called terrorist cult has had the bipartisan support of hundreds of members of Congress over the past decade. In Europe the MEK/PMOI has one three major court rulings demanding the removal of MEK/PMOI from European terror lists. Britain has officially removed the MEK/PMOI from its terror list calling the label "perverse".

The West is appeasing the Iranian Regime for the past 25 years. Mr. Jack Straw from UK, Mr. Chirac from France and State Departement Mr. Richard Armitage and his supporters here in US like Mr. Gary Sick, Congressman Bob Ney and Trita Parsi and Senator Jospeh Biden. What is the result of all these compromises, negotiation and appeasement? It is some crazy guy like Ahmadinejad. This is doing the same thing that happen in WWII with Mr. Chamberlin and how he reacted toward Hitler. Sometimes worst that Hitler and dictator like him are people who appease dictator and provide some sort of reason for their crime or their own inaction. Problem in today's world for Islamic Fundamentlism and Terrorist like Ahmadinejad. Terrorim is coming from Iranian goverment we see that in Iraq every day. All I can say is shame, shame and shame on the appeasment policy. Unless we have a stronge policy against Islamic Fundamentalism and terrorist like Ahmadinejad, we will have all these problem. Regime change is the only solution. No War and No Appeasment, the 3rd option of regime change by Iranian People and their democratic representatives.

The West is appeasing the Iranian Regime for the past 25 years. Mr. Jack Straw from UK, Mr. Chirac from France and State Departement Mr. Richard Armitage and his supporters here in US like Mr. Gary Sick, Congressman Bob Ney and Senator Jospeh Biden. What is the result of all these compromises, negotiation and appeasement? It is some crazy guy like Ahmadinejad. This is doing the same thing that happen in WWII with Mr. Chamberlin and how he reacted toward Hitler. Sometimes worst that Hitler and dictator like him are people who appease dictator and provide some sort of reason for their crime or their own inaction. Problem in today's world for Islamic Fundamentlism and Terrorist like Ahmadinejad. Terrorim is coming from Iranian goverment we see that in Iraq every day. All I can say is shame, shame and shame on the appeasment policy. Unless we have a stronge policy against Islamic Fundamentalism and terrorist like Ahmadinejad, we will have all these problem. Regime change is the only solution. No War and No Appeasment, the 3rd option of regime change by Iranian People and their democratic representatives.

Mr Parsi is a well known lobbyist for the Iranian regime. His opinion is highly biased to protect the Mullahs interest. I only refer Mr. Parsi's allegations toward the POMI to the decisions of two high courts in Europe and the decision of the British Government to delist the POMI. If the group is so insignificant why are the Mullahs doing everything in their powers to kill them off? If they are so hated by Iranian and Iraqi people, how come they are still active around the globe? How come they have the support of hundreds of European and American politicians and parliamentarians? Are millions of Iraqi people who pledge solidarity with the group all brain-washed? They should cease to exist, as the former Iraqi government was thrown out of power in 2003, if they were supported by Saddam's regime.

I disagree with the author. The MEK are terrorists, whether they are rank and file or leadership, they are terrorists. They have killed Americans, and they have also engaged in terrorism against the Jewish state. The solution to Camp Ashraf is no different from that of Bin Laden's caves - bomb it. It's a disgrace that the Bush Admin has provided protection for these terrorists. I hope the FBI investigates the commentators on this website that is defending the MEK terrorists. The fact that we are protecting these terrorists in Iraq is bad enough - the fact that many of their members are roaming around here in the US and in the Halls of Congress is simply unbelievable. Where is the FBI? Where is DHS? What are you waiting for? Arrest these terrorists!

So appalling to read how the author is both criminalizing these refugees while advocating a massive turnover to a regime which boasts globe's second highest execution rate. The author's motives are clearly suspect as he advocates ignoring the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Laws. The individuals in Camp Ashraf are Protected Persons under the 4th Geneva Convention. Each is in Camp Ashraf on her/his own free will. Furthermore, such status has been supervised by the U.S. military for at least 5 years now. Their refugee status in Iraq has been affirmed by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. If that was not enough, one can refer to the recent public statement by the Amnesty International where it warned both the U.S. and Iraqi governments that Ashraf residents "would be at serious risk of torture or persecution" if they were turned over to Iran. Appalling again to have the author present himself as an advocate for Iranians while essentially taking siding with arguably the most tyrannical regime in the world. While the article pays much attention to the allegations against the MEK, little is said about the atrocities committed by the Iranian regime. Perhaps he should have written about the 29 people who were hanged on the same day in the notorious Evin Prison on July 27 of this year, or the more than 317 who were executed in 2007. Parsi is being disingenuous when he fails to mention that this June 28th, over 70,000 Iranians gathered in Paris, France to express support for the MEK. No other Iranian opposition group has either the popularity or the capability to bring about change in Iran. Willingly, the author is demonizing the most popular and organized Iranian Resistance Organization and advocating a bloodbath. Considering the article’s assertion that the Iranian Regime can better take care of these refugees than the U.S. military, perhaps the writer should have also revealed his own ties to that regime. Ties which are well know to the Iranian-American Community in the U.S. Appalling again to have the author present himself as an advocate for Iranians while taking side with arguably the most tyrannical regime in the globe. While the article pays much attention to the allegations against the MEK, little is said about the atrocities committed by the Iranian regime. Perhaps he should have written about the 29 people who were hand on the same day in the notorious Evin Prison on

Comments on this article by Trita Parsi have stated with warrant that he is definitely in cahoots with the Iranian Regime. Unadulterated research has been conducted and Parsi deservedly has lost his credibility in every shape and form that he tried to forcefully convince people of. History will show the betrayal of freedom and democracy these people have committed against Iranians. The MEK are a freedom loving group, and have only sought to defend the values all human beings cherish. All the documents necessary exist to prove such points, and therefore no one need worry about people such as "Joshua Ashkenazi" or Trita Parsi who is advocating the Iranian regime's agenda of hate and destruction. The proof is in the evidence--the facts speak for themselves.

I really do not know how Mr. Parsi write and lobby for Iranian Regime (Killer of Iranian people and American solders) His bosses in Iran are responsible for terrorizing the Middle East. at the same time there is no proof by any international court that MEK/PMOI has done anything wrong (except accusation that comes from gov. of Iran and his agents like Mr. Parsi)If he is really against terrorism he should stop lobbying for terrorist gov. of Iran

Dear Editor, Parsi's accusation against Mojahedin has all been said an repeated by Iranian regime for many years but they did not deter over 70,000 support of Mujahedin to hold a rally, in June 2008 in France to show their support for Mujahedin and people of Ashraf, and it did not and will not deter Iranian-Americans in US to announce that they support Mojahedin. This PhD holder simply forgets to mention that in UK where the case of Mujahedin and the Terror label against them ended up in the court of Law, after seven years of judicial investigations, the government of UK was ordered by the court to remove their name from the list. Highest judges in UK called the case against Mujahedin “perverse” and Jack Straw, who was UK’s Foreign Secretary between 2001 and 2006, admitted in numerous media interviews that the designation of Mojahedin was at the request of Tehran’s regime. No evidence against Mojahedin no what so ever. Writer also forgets to mention that last month Amnesty International issued a public statement about Mujahedin in camp Ashraf and mentioned: “Amnesty International considers that those living in Camp Ashraf would be at grave risk of torture or other serious human rights violations if they were to be returned involuntarily to Iran, whether by the Iraqi authorities or by the US-led MultiNational Force (MNF). The organization has told the Iraqi and US governments that it strongly opposes any such forcible returns, either of those at Camp Ashraf or of other Iranian nationals who currently reside in Iraq having left Iran for political reasons or to escape persecution." As for what happens to Mojahedin and their supports: Article 186 of the Iranian “Islamic Punishment Act” (1997), “all members and supporters” of the Mojahedin, aka PMOI, aka, MEK and aka MKO) “who in one way or the other are effectively involved in advancing its aims, are “Mohareb,” which is to say guilty of waging war on God. Article 190 of that Act establishes that the punishment for “Mohareb” is “killing,” “hanging,” “amputation of the right hand and then the left leg,” or internal exile. A “religious judge” determines which punishment to apply. Should this type of documented law be of any concern to people like Mr. Stork, And should HRW not be investigating how many cases of these punishments in Iran have occurred ? No Iranian will settle for anything other than US and International Community confirming that camp Ashraf residents have the right to stay in cam Ashraf and they must be protected by US forces as long as they remain in Iraq. Anyone advocating anything other than this rightful demand is either an agent of the ayatollahs or a shameless apologist for Tehran’s’ regime. Hamid California