“At the same time, the residents of camp [Ashraf] have to abide by the laws of Iraq,” he added.
Mr. Gobadi said the dissidents will not accept forcible relocation.
Mr. Kobler said the deal is about “voluntary relocation and its implementation is based firmly on all sides acting peacefully and in good faith.”
Mrs. Clinton said the U.S. fully supports the U.N. effort and the deal “outlines steps necessary to achieve a peaceful and viable solution for the residents of Ashraf.”
“We are encouraged by the Iraqi government’s willingness to commit to this plan and expect it to fulfill all its responsibilities, especially the elements of the [memorandum of understanding] that provide for the safety and security of Ashraf’s residents,” she added.
At a congressional hearing earlier this month, Daniel Fried, special adviser to Mrs. Clinton on Camp Ashraf, accused the MEK leadership of intransigence over plans to relocate Camp Ashraf residents.
The MEK leadership says the Iraqi government has exploited its terrorist designation by the State Department as an excuse to persecute camp residents.
Critics of Mr. al-Maliki, a Shiite, accuse him of acting against the dissidents on the behest of the Shiite-led regime in Iran.
The State Department is reviewing the terrorist designation after a July 2010 order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Britain and the European Union took the MEK off their lists of terrorist organizations in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
The MEK, also known as People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, was responsible for terrorist attacks in Iran in the 1970s that killed several U.S. military personnel and civilians, according to the State Department. The group also received military and financial support from Saddam Hussein’s regime.
U.S. officials say it would require an act of Congress to resettle the dissidents in the U.S.
“Immigration prohibitions would likely prevent many Ashraf residents from being admitted to the United States, regardless of the MEK’s designation as a foreign terrorist organization,” Mr. Fried told lawmakers at the hearing.
In June of 2009, the U.S. turned over control of Camp Ashraf to the Iraqi government, which gave written assurances that it would treat the residents in accordance with Iraq’s Constitution and its international obligations.
© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Ashish Kumar Sen is a reporter covering foreign policy and international developments for The Washington Times.
Prior to joining The Times, Mr. Sen worked for publications in Asia and the Middle East. His work has appeared in a number of publications and online news sites including the British Broadcasting Corp., Asia Times Online and Outlook magazine.
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