US Decides to Protect Iranian Dissidents
Kazem Kazerounian
December 29, 2008
On Dec. 29, 2008, the US Embassy in Iraq issued a statement on the transfer of security responsibility for Camp Ashraf, the residence of thousands of the Iranian dissidents associated with the largest opposition coalition to the Iranian theocratic regime. This statement affirmed that "The Government of Iraq has provided the US Government written assurances of humane treatment of the Camp Ashraf residents in accordance with Iraqīs Constitution, laws, and international obligations." The statement further re- avowed that "U.S. forces will maintain a presence at Camp Ashraf and will continue to assist the Government of Iraq in carrying out its assurances of humane treatment of the residents of Camp Ashraf." This position statement by the American Government is a milestone in the complex puzzle of the stabilization of Iraq, the Iranian spread of terrorism and fundamentalism in the region and the future of democracy and peace in Middle East. The US decision comes under tremendous pressure and explicit and implicit threats from the Iranian regime and intense lobbying campaign by Tehran advocates and advocates in Washington. While protecting Ashraf Camp is mainly a humanitarian stance aimed at preventing a catastrophe, its strategic consequences are not veiled from the shrewd and cunning eyes of the ayatollahs.
Iranian government considers the Peoppleīs Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) as their chief impediment to unchallenged dictatorship in Iran, and their expansionism and supremacy in the region. Recent alignment and coordination of the demonstrations and slogans in several Iranian universities with the Iranian resistance have further intensified Tehranīs fear of its opposition. This is precisely why Ashraf has become the focal point of a regional and international campaign.
Iranīs expansive aspirations are not limited to Iraq. Tehran has its eyes set on larger prizes, and has made significant strides in its desire to project its power beyond its borders. Who can possibly remain indifferent to the innocent civilian casualties in Gaza Strip? But even recent events in Gaza are traced back to Tehran. Iran helped organize Hezbollah in Lebanon in early 1980īs. Iran helped organize Hezbollah in Lebanon in early 1980īs. Iran supports Hezbollah financially and militarily. Iran helps train guerrilla fighters, and delivers and purchases weapons for Hezbollah. Iran transfers nearly $100 million annually to Hezbollah through the Qods Force, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, charities and its embassies in Damascus and Beirut. Iran's support of Hezbollah stems from a shared religious ideology, a common desire to destroy Israel, end all Western influence in the region, an aspiration to strengthen its hold in the Middle East. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is regarded by Hezbollah as its ultimate leader.
Iranīs nuclear aspirations and clandestine enrichment activities are undoubtedly aimed for military purposes. It is naïve to assume that Iran is exponentially increasing its centrifuge installations to amass enriched uranium for peaceful purposes, while Iran does not even have operational nuclear reactors. To maintain the fast pace of nuclear development, Iran has deprived its oil industry from much needed maintenance and its oil fields from necessary safeguard measures such as pressurizing, to the point that this crown jewel of their national wealth is at the brink of total obliteration.
To avert Iran from its malicious intentions, the U.S. administrations have offered Iran colossal offerings including forgiving Iranīs role in blowing up American military barracks in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia and allowing mullahs strong footholds in Iraq. However, the largest carrot to the theocratic rulers of Iran was offered by the Clinton administration by impeding the main Iranian opposition group, MEK and placing their name in the terrorist list. This strategic blunder has held back the Iranian people from striving for democratic change in Iran. The message to the mullahs was clear: If you felt threatened by any opposition group, just ask us, and we will take care of it for you. And Iran no doubt asks for it at every table they sit at. Nevertheless, the failure of this policy have become evident.
The US decision to continue the protection of Camp Ashraf is commendable. Can we hope that the American decision is also the sunset of decades of futile policy of appeasement?
Professor Kazerounian teaches at the University of Connecticut
Iranian government considers the Peoppleīs Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) as their chief impediment to unchallenged dictatorship in Iran, and their expansionism and supremacy in the region. Recent alignment and coordination of the demonstrations and slogans in several Iranian universities with the Iranian resistance have further intensified Tehranīs fear of its opposition. This is precisely why Ashraf has become the focal point of a regional and international campaign.
Iranīs expansive aspirations are not limited to Iraq. Tehran has its eyes set on larger prizes, and has made significant strides in its desire to project its power beyond its borders. Who can possibly remain indifferent to the innocent civilian casualties in Gaza Strip? But even recent events in Gaza are traced back to Tehran. Iran helped organize Hezbollah in Lebanon in early 1980īs. Iran helped organize Hezbollah in Lebanon in early 1980īs. Iran supports Hezbollah financially and militarily. Iran helps train guerrilla fighters, and delivers and purchases weapons for Hezbollah. Iran transfers nearly $100 million annually to Hezbollah through the Qods Force, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, charities and its embassies in Damascus and Beirut. Iran's support of Hezbollah stems from a shared religious ideology, a common desire to destroy Israel, end all Western influence in the region, an aspiration to strengthen its hold in the Middle East. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is regarded by Hezbollah as its ultimate leader.
Iranīs nuclear aspirations and clandestine enrichment activities are undoubtedly aimed for military purposes. It is naïve to assume that Iran is exponentially increasing its centrifuge installations to amass enriched uranium for peaceful purposes, while Iran does not even have operational nuclear reactors. To maintain the fast pace of nuclear development, Iran has deprived its oil industry from much needed maintenance and its oil fields from necessary safeguard measures such as pressurizing, to the point that this crown jewel of their national wealth is at the brink of total obliteration.
To avert Iran from its malicious intentions, the U.S. administrations have offered Iran colossal offerings including forgiving Iranīs role in blowing up American military barracks in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia and allowing mullahs strong footholds in Iraq. However, the largest carrot to the theocratic rulers of Iran was offered by the Clinton administration by impeding the main Iranian opposition group, MEK and placing their name in the terrorist list. This strategic blunder has held back the Iranian people from striving for democratic change in Iran. The message to the mullahs was clear: If you felt threatened by any opposition group, just ask us, and we will take care of it for you. And Iran no doubt asks for it at every table they sit at. Nevertheless, the failure of this policy have become evident.
The US decision to continue the protection of Camp Ashraf is commendable. Can we hope that the American decision is also the sunset of decades of futile policy of appeasement?
Professor Kazerounian teaches at the University of Connecticut