text:
Families of MEK Victims in Camp Ashraf, Iraq Want Same Visiting Rights as U.S. Detainee Families in Iran
... Urging Mr. Hill to intervene on their behalf with the leaders of the MEK the families said, "Your government successfully arranged for the mothers of U.S. detainees in Iran to visit their children on compassionate grounds But, if America can negotiate this with Iran, we certainly expect that you can negotiate with this small terrorist group so that its members can meet freely with their families" ...
Human rights today, May 18, 2010
A group of Iranian families today asked the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Christopher Hill, for his help in negotiating with the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organisation (aka Rajavi cult, MEK, MKO, PMOI, NCRI) to give visiting rights to the detainees in Camp Ashraf in Diyala province.
The parents of captives in Camp Ashraf were responding to news that the mothers of three young Americans detained in Iran, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal, are on their way to visit their children in prison there.
They said, "We are so happy for these families that negotiations with Iran have resulted in allowing these visits on compassionate grounds. Everyone in the world knows the strength of the bond between parent and child. We hope they will achieve their wishes in Iran."
For nearly four months the families have been encamped outside the camp which houses members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq terrorist cult. The cult leaders refuse to allow ordinary members to have any contact with the outside world and will not negotiate with external bodies. Some members have been trapped inside the camp for over twenty years.
Although the Government of Iraq is responsible for the camp, officials say their hands are tied because the MEK have powerful backers in Washington, even though it is on the U.S.'s own terrorism list. The families told Mr. Hill, "We witnessed ourselves that American soldiers intervened on behalf of the MEK leaders when Iraqi soldiers tried to help us get inside the camp."
Urging Mr. Hill to intervene on their behalf with the leaders of the MEK the families said, "Your government successfully arranged for the mothers of U.S. detainees in Iran to visit their children on compassionate grounds… But, if America can negotiate this with Iran, we certainly expect that you can negotiate with this small terrorist group so that its members can meet freely with their families."
* * *
Open Letter to the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Mr Christopher R. Hill
Dear Ambassador,
We are Iranian families who have travelled to Iraq to find relatives enslaved by the Mojahedin-e Khalq organisation (aka Rajavi cult, MEK, MKO, PMOI, NCRI) in Camp Ashraf. We families have been encamped outside the gates of Camp Ashraf for nearly four months now, and still not been helped enough to meet with our relatives.
We now have news that the mothers of three young Americans, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal, detained in Iran are flying over there to visit them in prison.
We are so happy for these families that negotiations with Iran have resulted in allowing these visits on compassionate grounds. Everyone in the world knows the strength of the bond between parent and child. We hope they will achieve their wishes in Iran.
We share the same anguish as these three mothers, with the difference that our children have been held captive in Camp Ashraf for over twenty years, not by the Iraqi government but by the very leaders of the group they are with. And conditions inside Camp Ashraf are worse than any prison; our children are not allowed to telephone or even to write to their families, they have been enslaved.
Up until 2003 we could not approach the camp where our children live because the Mojahedin-e Khalq were armed. We became hopeful when U.S. Forces disarmed the group and rounded them up into one place. At last there was hope of visiting. But the U.S. Army failed to get the group to surrender, even though it is on the U.S.'s own terrorism list as well as being a foreign terrorist group in Iraq. Even when we travelled to Iraq to find our children, the U.S. Army did not help us. Those few members who were lucky enough to meet their families always had MKO minders with them to prevent them from escaping.
When the Government of Iraq took control of the camp in January 2009 we again had hope that we could visit our children. But the MEK leaders refuse to cooperate and have not only kept the gate locked but threatened us with violence if we don't leave. Now the Iraqi government is doing what it can to help us, but for almost four months we are still stuck at the entrance gate without news.
Over these four months we have talked to everyone we can; UNAMI, the Red Cross, human rights groups, Diyala tribal leaders, Iraqi and foreign press, Iraqi government officials and the military personnel responsible for the camp. In private we have been told over and over again that the Iraqi government cannot do more to help us because the Mojahedin-e Khalq has powerful backing in America (where it is on the U.S. terrorism list). We witnessed ourselves that American soldiers intervened on behalf of the MEK leaders when Iraqi soldiers tried to help us get inside the camp.
Now we are finally convinced that no one but America has control over this group - and even then we see that the tail is wagging the dog.
Your government successfully arranged for the mothers of U.S. detainees in Iran to visit their children on compassionate grounds and we wish them every joy that such a meeting must bring. But, if America can negotiate this with Iran, we certainly expect that you can negotiate with this small terrorist group so that its members can meet freely with their families.
We ask you as a matter of urgency, as Ambassador of the USA to Iraq, to use the considerable influence that you have to force the Mojahedin-e Khalq in Camp Ashraf to allow, on compassionate grounds, for our children to meet freely with us
The families of MEK members in Camp Ashraf, Iraq
No one is to open the gates of Ashraf from the within
... BBC report starts with a sight of a big lock on the gate of Ashraf and the starting point of the text is "No one is to open the doors; all cries are uttered in vain". Then the father of an Ashraf resident tells the reporter "It is for 22 years that I've received no letter of my son". Some MKO members managing to escape from Ashraf are quoted as saying "Mojahedin high rankings prevent members to leave camp by means of intimidation, threat, and coercive measures"...
Omid Pouya, Mojahedin.ws, May 16 2010
Since the gathering of the families of MKO victims and captives before Camp Ashraf, Mojahedin media as well as advocates have staged a new round of propagation and have repeatedly asked the mass media and reporters from all over the world to cover Camp Ashraf news for the world to be informed of what is happening therein. But is it really sincere in what is advertising? A review of BBC's report in 26 April, basically in Persian, discredits all claims made by the organization as well as the truth of the statements made by the family of MKO members made in their nearly three months of gathering before the camp to let the world hear their cries of protest against the most blatant form of the modern slavery and to see and release their children and beloved ones from the clutches of the terrorist organization.
BBC report starts with a sight of a big lock on the gate of Ashraf and the starting point of the text is "No one is to open the doors; all cries are uttered in vain". Then the father of an Ashraf resident tells the reporter "It is for 22 years that I've received no letter of my son". Some MKO members managing to escape from Ashraf are quoted as saying "Mojahedin high rankings prevent members to leave camp by means of intimidation, threat, and coercive measures". And BBC reporter expounds on the reaction of Ashraf officials, stating: The gates of the camp are closed on the reporters too and despite we have called Mojahedin authorities inside camp many times, there is no answer to our questions. Finally, BBC refers to the main challenge of Ashraf victims and its solution: 'The US recognizes Mojahedin as a terrorist organization yet it has some advocators among American and European politicians and lawmakers who defend the survival of camp Ashraf in Iraq. Now the basic question is how long the few advocates of Mojahedin are to victimize thousands of innocents and their families for their own interests? There are some points to be mentioned on the BBC report.
The report approved the fact that despite the dissemination of Mojahedin and inviting mass media to camp Ashraf, the organization has so far refrained to welcome the reporters' presence and answering their questions. Instead, it refers to the gathering before the camp as a propaganda show staged by the Iranian regime and calling people and reporters Intelligence Ministry agents swarming at the front gate of Ashraf by the collaboration of the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office. The report has some shocking scenes illustrating the oppression and injustice of Ashraf high rankings imposed on MKO victims, their families and children and focuses on the gap separating Ashraf from the family of its residents as well as the baseless claims of Rajavi on the point that Ashraf residents have remained there at will and its doors are open for those willing to leave and other lies fabricated by him for killing time and victimizing more members. There is no need to interpret the tearful eyes of an eight-year-old girl who has never seen his father since she was born. The BBC report contains justifiable and significant points to convince the global community, international humanitarian institutions and mass media to be concerned about the blatant violations of human rights and international rules by the leaders of a blacklisted terrorist cult that respects no convention, law and domestic legislation. Here are some suggestions that may well help avert further violations of human rights by the organization and possible release of the enslaved members.
1. The international organizations are supposed to send their independent delegates to Iraq to be informed of the events inside and outside Camp Ashraf directly if they ever care for human rights and justice. It may prevent victimization of more MKO members used as human shields in Ashraf. Mojahedin advocates can make a descent visit of camp in order to get at the truth.
2. The Iraqi Government has done its best in order to prohibit any human disaster inside Ashraf. It is the best position taking on the part of the government after the bloody conflicts of June 2009 in proving its goodwill toward Ashraf residents. According to BBC report, the Iraqi police are just trying to preserve order in the region maintaining neutrality, yet Mojahedin leaders insist on developing a violent atmosphere by means of assaulting and battering the family of Ashraf residents located beside camp. The best solution at the time being seems to be the direct interference of international organs and bodies; otherwise, any negligence in this regard may result in negative consequences that in no way vindicate any concerned organization and body.
3. BBC report reveals that Mojahedin cannot bear the presence of mass media in the region in contrast to their claims. They are well aware that the disclosure of the truth may be a barrier in the way of their propaganda blitz and psychological warfare. Therefore, the continuous presence of the media in the region may foil Mojahedin's plans.
4. The fact that a number of Ashraf residents escaped from the camp to join their family may reveal that the organization has kept MKO members inside camp by force. The presence of the concerned international institutions may facilitate the free exodus of the captives. Any delay in this regard may impose irreparable costs on the voluntary split of members and encouraging the leaders to continue with the human tragedy ultimatums.
5. The presence of a number of families before Camp Ashraf, that has emboldened some insiders to the escape and also disclose the true notorious nature of Mojahedin, may emphasize the necessity of the presence of other families to save their children. Undoubtedly, Ashraf officials cannot bear the existing conditions forever. As mentioned before, the first step for the dissolution of Camp Ashraf is by rendering the organization helpless through a striking split therein and this is the best time for breaking cultic relations of MKO to set the members free. The supports of the families may pave he way for releasing their children from the firm clutch of Rajavi.
6. The interaction of the families with the media is of a high significance. It may deprive Rajavi of his lever of fabrication and distortion of the truth as well as trying to win the sympathy of the world by putting the bargaining chip in the hands of the families as it was revealed in the blind and hysteric backlashes of Mojahedin against BBC report. In a nutshell, Rajavi and Ashraf high rankings have reached a stalemate and the persistence of the present conditions may lead to their full destruction in the near future.
Link to BBC program (Persian), April 26, 2010:
Families of victims of Mojahedin Khalq(MKO, MEK, Rajavi cult):
Freedom of prisoners in Camp Ashraf is our ultimate goal
Announcement No. 4
... The Mojahedin Khalq (Rajavi cult) has increased its suppression of the captives by increasing the number of patrols, increasing the thickness of barbed-wire fences and many other desperate measures. The last part of this scenario has of course been the forced TV interviews, clearly made under severe threat and physical and psychological pressure ...
Families of victims of Mojahedin Khalq picketing in front of Camp Ashraf, May 07, 2010
Translated by Iran Interlink
In the name of God
We would like to bring to the attention of all the relevant authorities that the Mojahedin Khalq cult has once again brought some of our relatives by force to repeat the leaders' propaganda and lies in front of cameras. The victims chosen from among our captive families by the Rajavi cult this time are, Mr. Khoram Ramezani, Mr. Iraj Ramezani, and Mr. Mohammad Reza Araki, who have been brought in front of the cult leaders' cameras.
The ridiculous scenarios and interviews prepared and dictated by the Rajavi cult leaders to our captive children and the unnatural behaviour of the captives in front of the cameras is obvious to everyone. The question which comes to anyone's mind is; why has the leadership of the Mojahedin Khalq cult decided to resort to such a nasty reaction after 3 months of total silence toward the picketing of families in front of Asharf garrison?
According to the information given by Mr. Alamdar Shaygan (who recently managed to run away from the garrison and who has joined with the families), who has been living in this place until a short while ago, Iraj and Khoram Ramezani did not have a good relationship with one another, but in this film we see them having a very close relationship with each other, even though the disoriented condition of Mr. Iraj Ramezani was obvious for the viewers. It was also obvious from the looks on the faces of all 3 captives that they were merely repeating a dictated scenario given to them (and we must say was very badly acted).
We, the families of the captives of Mojahedin Khalq (Rajavi cult) terrorist group, believe that this badly acted, forced theatre shows the desperation of the cult leaders who are facing the resistance, patience and vigilance of the families toward rescuing their loved ones from the clutches of this terrorist cult.
We remember when they started sending some agents to try to confront the families and send them back, which did not succeed. Then they started swearing at us using powerful loud speakers in a bid to stop the families' voices reaching the people inside the garrison.
The 3rd ploy by the cult leaders was to make the captives sign the terrorist cult leaders' lies and curses against their own family members. All this has been continuously broadcasted through the terrorists' satellite channel.
The Mojahedin Khalq (Rajavi cult) has increased its suppression of the captives by increasing the number of patrols, increasing the thickness of barbed-wire fences and many other desperate measures. The last part of this scenario has of course been the forced TV interviews, clearly made under severe threat and physical and psychological pressure.
We, the families of victims and captives of the Mojahedin Khalq terrorist Organisation (Rajavi cult) condemn this barbaric and inhumane act and insist once again on our legitimate demand to meet our captive loved ones in the presence of representatives of the Red Cross and other human rights organisation outside the garrison. We will not give in, or be fooled by these ridiculous, repeated scenarios and theatre acts carried out by the cult's leaders.
Families of victims of Mojahedin Khalq picketing in front of Camp Ashraf
Rioting in Camp Ashraf - Families send urgent appeal for help to International bodies
... We the families of Mojahedin Khalq hostages, who are picketing outside Camp Ashraf, are worried and concerned about the physical wellbeing of our children. We are especially worried about the list of 53 of these captives which has been announced by the Mojahedin Khalq leaders with the claim that they have signed a letter refusing to meet their families and parents! No-one has seen or heard from these 53 captives. How do we know these are genuine? ...
Families picketing in front of Camp Ashraf, May 02, 2010
Yesterday evening we heard shouting and strange sounds coming from inside Camp Ashraf. We tried to investigate, but could not see anything from our vantage point. After a while, the electricity in the camp was cut off and more shouting, screaming and protesting voices were heard from inside the camp. We were obviously concerned about our family members trapped inside. Later on, an Iraqi officer approached us. We asked him about the shouting and voices of protest. He told us that some of our children inside the camp have started rioting and want to get out, but the leaders and commanders of Rajavi's cult have stopped them and suppressed the riot.
While listening to him, we noticed that some Iraqi military vehicles were entering the camp with some urgency. They came out about an hour later. They also told us that there had been a riot inside the camp and that many of the people inside have become disaffected. The Iraqi army officers said that they did not enter the area where the riot was taking place. We don't know what exactly has happened during this riot. But, we can say that the voices have now stopped.
We spent all last night worrying about our family members and today decided to raise our concerns and ask for help from any and all international bodies which can hear us.
Human rights organisations:
We the families of Mojahedin Khalq hostages, who are picketing outside Camp Ashraf, are worried and concerned about the physical wellbeing of our children. We are especially worried about the list of 53 of these captives which has been announced by the Mojahedin Khalq leaders with the claim that they have signed a letter refusing to meet their families and parents! No-one has seen or heard from these 53 captives. How do we know these are genuine?
Considering this new development, we announce that we are in no hurry to meet our children and family members. We beg all international bodies concerned with this issue to intervene immediately to stop the suppression, torture and possible murder of our loved ones. We urge all international bodies concerned with this issue to hurry to this camp before it is too late and meet with the individuals inside the camp without the presence of the leaders of the cult, and ascertain their true situation and wellbeing.
With thanks,
Families picketing in front of Camp Ashraf
May 02, 2010
Also read:
Third announcement by the families of hostages in Camp Ashraf
Rajavi forces our children to sign his lies to UNAMI
... What danger could the old men and women, who only want to see their children, pose to anyone. What the cult leaders really mean is the danger they pose to the very existence of the cult's rules and regulations which they are imposing on our children. Rajavi is clearly shaking with the thought of our presence in this place which is cutting through his darkness like a ray of light ...
Ashraf camp, April 30, 2010
The Mojahedin Khalq cult leaders, in a ludicrous show of desperation, have sent letters to UNAMI with the signatures on them claiming to be those of our loved ones! The cult leaders have claimed that our loved ones have all repeated the leaders' propaganda.
First of all, there is no way that one could be sure that these signatures really are the signatures of our children captive inside the camp. And secondly, there is clear evidence that even it these are the real signatures of our children, the pressures imposed on our love ones during the past three months but Mojahedin Khalq leaders have brought these captives to the point that they will sign any paper including the above mentioned letters filled with lies and swearing and etc. It is enough to say that the letter claims, on their behalf, that none of them want to even see any of their family members under any circumstances.
The cult leaders also claim that the families of these captive people have surrounded them!! And therefore their lives are in danger (from their family members who want to see them)!!
What danger could the old men and women, who only want to see their children, pose to anyone. What the cult leaders really mean is the danger they pose to the very existence of the cult's rules and regulations which they are imposing on our children. Rajavi is clearly shaking with the thought of our presence in this place which is cutting through his darkness like a ray of light.
As usual, the Mojahedin have embarked on their old tactic of saying that we, the families of the captives, have all been sent by the Intelligence Ministry of Iran. Nothing could be further from the truth and no one is buying these ridiculous lies. No one believes these ridicules claims and this tactic has been thread bare for a long time now.
We, the families, have promised and will stick to our word to resist all of these tactics including crying wolf and including deceptions and lies and including forcing our children to write letters against their own families they have not seen for decades. The desperate leaders of the Mojahedin cult are begging the Americans to push back the mothers and fathers of their hostages in this camp. We have not, and will not, surrender to this intimidation, and will not allow these supposed forced signatures by our loved ones against their own families set us back. We continue to insist on our only simple and legitimate demand and that is to meet our children in a place outside this garrison and without the presence and intimidation of the cult leaders in the presence of representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and UNAMI.
In our last meeting with UNAMI in Baghdad we were promised that representatives will coordinate with the Government of Iraq to act on the legitimate demands of the families and would send representatives to the gates of Camp Ashraf to see the situation for themselves. To date, we have not seen anyone from UNAMI approach the camp, but we are still hopeful and waiting.
Families picketing in front of Camp Ashraf
30 April 2010
Second announcement by the families of hostages in Camp Ashraf
Families have kept their vigil before the gates of Camp Ashraf for over 70 days
... Why is it that whenever the existence of the leaders of Mojahedin Khalq is under threat, some unfortunate people have to burn themselves on their command to save the skin of these leaders? Is it not the case that the lives of the people inside this camp are only valuable in that whenever Massoud Rajavi feels the need, he can send some of them to their deaths? ...
Camp Ashraf, April 29, 2010
link to the original letter (Persian)
Translated by Iran Interlink
The following announcement issued by the families of the hostages inside Camp Ashraf is a response to the letter Mrs. Maryam Rajavi has written to the President of United States, Mr. Obama. The families are sitting in front of the garrison in protest. They simply want to know about the fate of their children:
We would like to ask the free thinking people of the world, as well as the politicians involved whether Mrs. Maryam Rajavi isn't simply trying her best to divert attention away from the real issue and the simple fact that we have been sitting down in protest only for the simple demand and right to visit our children. The Open Letter to the U.S President and the other propaganda she publishes is nothing other than a desperate attempt to divert attention from our simple and basic right.
In her open letter to President Obama she has been begging him to accept his responsibilities in protecting the citizens of Camp Ashraf and to guarantee the security of the camp.
We should ask Mrs. Rajavi, if she means the security and the well-being of our imprisoned children and hostages taken by Mojahedin Khalq, or does she really mean the protection and security of the existence of Mojahedin Khalq from dismantlement and disappearance?
If it is the well-being and security of people inside the camp then:
Our captive children have been under severe physical and psychological pressure for years and have been denied their basic human rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of thought, being allowed to love and be loved and having any emotions for or enjoying relationships with other people. They have been living in this miserable, desperate situation without hope for years and years, to the point that, due to this harsh segregation, there are no children among them. They have been and are still being misused in barbaric ways, including slavery and forced labour. Their souls are also subjected to the most ridiculous and inhuman laws of this cult.
If it is the well-being of our loved ones that she is concerned with, why is it that they are being used as human shields on every occasion, including the last one when they were used as human shields in front of Iraqi loaders and heavy vehicles so that she and other leaders of the cult can cry foul for the dead and the injured, and claim to be those who are suppressed?
Why is it that whenever the existence of the leaders of Mojahedin Khalq is under threat, some unfortunate people have to burn themselves on their command to save the skin of these leaders?
Is it not the case that the lives of the people inside this camp are only valuable in that whenever Massoud Rajavi feels the need, he can send some of them to their deaths?
The truth is that the Mojahedin Khalq Organisation is trying to save Ashraf garrison intact solely because Ashraf camp is the nectar of life for the leaders of this cult and the leaders of this cult have been able to use this to get help from humanitarian organizations throughout the world to continue their disgraceful, but luxurious lives in Europe and the United States for some time more. Our children have to suffer in this forced labour camp so that the leaders of the so-called Mojahedin Khalq Organisation can continue their lavish lifestyles here and there.
Mr. Obama should seriously ask Mrs. Rajavi about the demands of the people who have been sitting in front of the camp for the last three months. Ask her what is it that we want? What is it that we have left our homes, work and livelihoods for and have come here to get? What is it that we are shouting about day and night?
Mr. Obama should ask Mrs. Rajavi; for what reason or with what permission she bought Iranian Prisoners of War from the Iraq–Iran war from Saddam Hussin and transferred them to Ashraf garrison without even letting their families know where they had been transferred to?
He should seriously investigate and ask her about the people who had gone to Turkey from Iran to find work and were kidnapped by the Mojahedin Khalq agents and transferred to Ashraf garrison so that she could give a bigger number to her pay masters. She should be asked why she did not allow these people to call their families even once to say that they are alive.
These families have been left in the dark for years and years with no news about their children. They have been searching for them in every possible place, including graveyards and hospitals, etc. with no result. Day after day, they have been crying with no closure, with no news until the fall of Saddam Hussein when they found out that their children have been kept in the dark prisons of Rajavi and the commanders of Mojahedin Khalq. In 2003, the families started trying to reach their loved ones and try to meet them. Some succeeded in seeing their children briefly under the severe restrictions imposed by Mojahedin Khalq leaders. The captive children have been signaling to these parents with every possible means that even talking about emotions or complaining about the situation in the camp will only increase the pressure already exerted against them. They have clearly said that no-one is allowed to be alone and everyone is watched 24 hours a day. During these occasions, the prison guards of the Mojahedin camp did not even let the captives accompany their families to the gates of the camp. Some who decided to do so without the consent of the leaders were returned to their sections by force. What is a meeting worth which is under the constant presence and investigation of the garrison guards and in which the prisoner is afraid to say anything?
The only demand of the families sitting in protest in front of the gates of Ashraf garrison is to meet their family members without the presence of the Mojahedin Khalq jailors, outside this garrison so that they can be certain that that these people can choose freely whether they want to continue living in captivity under a regime of humiliation and insult and under the most brutal dictatiorship of Rajavi and his cult in Camp Ashraf, or whether they would like to return to free society and live normally.
Mr. Obama should ask Mrs. Rajavi why she has denied the people inside the camp their right to deciding their own fate and future. What else have the families asked for that is not acceptable for her? And Mr. Obama should ask about the condition of the captives and investigate the reason the families are sitting down and do not leave their picket.
What does she want from the rest of the lives of these people who have lost all their youth, education, families, jobs and everything in service to the devious goals of this cult
Is it not that the families are afraid of another scenario like the one in July 2009 where she sent some of these children to their deaths?
The families have come to save their children so that the remainder of these people inside Ashraf camp would not be used as expendable lives by the devious leaders of the cult.
We would like to bring to the attention of Mr. Obama the published memories and experiences of ex-members of this cult who have managed to escape from this garrison of the Dark Ages. People like Ms. Batool Soltani who has been a member of the Leadership Council of the Mojahedin Khalq cult. People like Mr. Khodabandeh or Mr Sobhani, currently living in European countries.
We, the families would like to bring the attention of Mr. Obama to the report published by RAND, specifically the parts where the report investigates the internal relations of the Mojahedin Khalq and the leaders of this personality cult.
We ask the management of Iran Interlink and Iran Ghalam Associations and others who have been supporting us during our picket in front of the camp by allowing our voice to reach the outside world to send this letter on our behalf to whoever has received the Open Letter of Mrs. Rajavi to the U.S. President.
With thanks,
Families picketing in front of Camp Ashraf
29 April 2010
Also: Film from Camp New Iraq (formerly Ashraf) . . Iran-Interlink, at the gates of camp Ashraf, Iraq, April 2010 Film showing the violent reaction of Mojahedin-e Khalq to the families trying to visit their children who are being held captive inside the camp by the Rajavis. (Link to the Video file Part one, 100MB) * * * (Link to the Video file Part two, 100MB) * * * Also: Report on the Mojahedin Khalq (MKO, MEK) attack on the families on Thursday night 14th April, 2010 in front of camp New Iraq (formerly Ashraf) . ... Iran-Interlink did, however, record some film that day, which will be broadcast in due course. This film will first be presented to the UN office, the Iraqi Judiciary and relevant human rights organisations.The knife wielding Mojahed woman has been identified and the families concerned are already in the process of submitting a law suit against her ... Iran Interlink, at the gates of camp New Iraq (Ashraf), April 17, 2010 This report is a short, logical addition to the mountain of statements which the MEK have issued in recent days. It has been published to further apprise those interested in this issue of what has taken place. What was it that the MEK was after when they attacked the families? One basic fact shouts louder than all others and that is, that for 66 days the MEK leaders have refused all access to the victims inside the camp. The MEK leaders did not let the families see their children even for a minute. It is also clear that the MEK began the attack and that they had planned and coordinated it with all the MEK's systems ready to play their parts, in particular the MEK's relentless propaganda system – resulting in the mountain of statements. The families have been waiting for many weeks in front of the gates of the camp to see their children. The MEK leaders have obdurately refused them access. The families became so desperate to make contact that they started speaking over loud speakers so they would be noticed by the people inside. Their motivation has been to try to let their children know that they are there. From last week, the families decided to expose the activities of the MEK leaders by reading out loud the interviews of Ms. Batool Soltani (a former member of the Leadership Council). The MEK leaders objected and complained to the Iraqis that the families are insulting them over the loud speakers. As evidence they referred to the Soltani interviews. The leader of the Iraqi security forces made enquiries with the families, who then submitted a copy of the Soltani interviews to him in Arabic. The MEK have opened a so-called hospital in front of the gates which they call "The Hospital No. 2". Only the trusted leaders and members of the cult are allowed to go in and out of this place. Even so, the reading aloud of the Soltani interviews has had some effect on them, and some have been communicating with the families with their hands and with various other signals, and in this way have actually encouraged the families to continue and not to give up. In an inspired move, the families had the idea to broadcast the sound of laughter of a two year old child into the camp. The members have not heard such a voice for decades. It made some of them, who were allowed to be near the gate, smile. This was also noticed by the MEK leaders and has shaken them. Three days ago, Mr. Iman Yeganeh Khorasani from Mashad, after 22 years, drove his lorry (which he works with) up to the gates of the camp and handed himself over to the Iraqi security forces. He later came to visit the families. Iman told Iran-Interlink, "Just before the Norooz (New Year) holidays the leader of section one started insulting the families. I asked, 'Why are you insulting the families'? He told me, 'They have been sent by the Iranian regime'. I said, 'Even if this was true, this would not give you reason to swear at these people. Would you swear at them even if my family was among them?' At that point I told them that I refuse to stay there". Iman continued, "They started to arrange a few brainwashing sessions for me, but when they realised that I still refused to stay, they pleaded with me, 'Stay until the end of Norooz because you have given your word and you have to keep your promise". "A few days before Norooz they started to extract new promises from the members again to say that they would stay until next Norooz. I had no choice but to run away from the camp. But the problem is that the leaders do not allow anyone to go anywhere by themselves, or do anything by themselves, or even walk around in the camp". He described his escape; "Yesterday, I was sitting in the lorry waiting for the second person to arrive. In the few minutes that he was delayed, I took my chance. I started the lorry and drove to the Iraqi post and asked for asylum and protection." Iman told Iran-Interlink, "The MEK leaders have been brainwashing the members against the Iraqis so they are really afraid of approaching the Iraqi officers. But I was even prepared to be killed by the Iraqi army rather than staying one more day in Rajavi's garrison. When I realised how kind and human the Iraqis are, I was really ashamed of myself." Since Iman's escape, the Mojahedin no longer allow rank and file members to carry out any maintenance or service work. The leaders are now doing all the work. For example, the leaders of each section now sweep the outside pavements themselves at nights. The MEK is facing a serious problem in keeping its members people under control. They are doing everything to stop them hearing the voices of the families, and to stop them from escaping. After Iman's escape, the leaders increased the checkpoints inside the camp and have implemented restrictive laws to prevent people from escaping. The leaders now know that they can no longer control every disaffected person – and there are many, many of them in the camp. And they now know that the families have no intention of moving from the gates of the camp. It is this deadlock which forced the MEK to try to repeat the scenario of July 2009 and this time blame the families for the violence. On Thursday morning they started clandestinely placing loud speakers about 100 meters away from the camp gates. From about 10.30 pm that day, they brought together around 200 people who started swearing at the families using the very powerful loud speakers. They then began to try to incite the families who were behind the closed gates to respond with violence. Clearly, this kind of provocative attack aimed at the 11 family members outside the gate was intended to somehow engage the Iraqi security forces and provoke violence so that the MKO could cast itself in the role of victim – that is, 3500 people the victims of 11 families. At about 1.30 in the morning, the families, acting on the advice of the Iraqi security officers, retired to their makeshift beds. Without warning, two MEK women members appeared from out of nowhere with the intention of launching an attack on them with knives. Fortunately, they were intercepted by the Iraqis and were prevented from starting any violence or carrying out their assassination attempt. The MKO continued to swear at the families over their loud speakers until 3.00 am. Then they broadcast an audio tape of the MEK military march 'Victory' on a loop, and threatened that they will do more and worse things to the families if they do not leave the gates of the camp. On Friday morning, the families again gathered at the camp gates with good moral. That night they hung coloured bulbs and lights all over the gate of the camp celebrating the "victory" of the MEK leaders the night before. Their slogan, which they chanted that day, was, "You continue your war and victories and we will continue our persistence with singing and celebrating". Of course, as expected, the MEK is claiming that the Iraqi forces and the families have attacked them. It is interesting that, while they continue to film every second, day and night, they have not presented a single clip of film to show this alleged attack. Iran-Interlink did, however, record some film that day, which will be broadcast in due course. This film will first be presented to the UN office, the Iraqi Judiciary and relevant human rights organisations. The knife wielding Mojahed woman has been identified and the families concerned are already in the process of submitting a law suit against her. The families report that they are very happy to have news that Mojahedin leader Maryam Rajavi has been writing to the UN, so that someone there will be forced to take notice of their problems. They are waiting eagerly to see why it is that the UN does not take any action against the MEK's hostage-taking terrorist leaders who are backed by some murderers in America and Israel. The families have a clear message for all: They will not leave without their children. They also warn that other families are also on their way. The families also wish to thank all the people, across the globe, who have given them support and encouragement. ------------ Also read: America, are you listening? If Rajavi harms even a hair on my sister's head, America, you are responsible! . ... Iraqi media and local dignitaries visit families outside Camp New Iraq (Ashraf) where Washington-backed terrorist group, Mojahedin-e Khalq are holding 3500 people hostage. Human Rights groups say Rajavi refuses to allow family visits in the camp. The video shows Hoorieh Mohammadi from Canada asking Americans and the MKO for compassion... Iran-interlink, outside camp New Iraq (Ashraf), February 2010 Iraqi media and local dignitaries visit families outside Camp New Iraq (Ashraf) where Washington-backed terrorist group, Mojahedin-e Khalq are holding 3500 people hostage. Human Rights groups say Rajavi refuses to allow family visits in the camp. The video shows Hoorieh Mohammadi from Canada asking Americans and the MKO for compassion. Link to the video file (200 MB, One hour) ---------- Also read: Minister for Human Rights: Mojahedin Khalq will be removed shortly - MKO rights covered by Universal Declaration . ... Salim indicated that "the members of the MKO do not qualify as refugees, and are not covered by the Geneva Conventions, but the Universal Declaration of Human Rights protects them," noting that the Universal Declaration "stresses the need for humane treatment covered by it, in addition ... Aswat al-Iraq, Baghdad, December 20, 2009 (translated by Iran Interlink) BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq's Minister of Human Rights Ms. Widjan M. Salim, said on Sunday that the entry into the camp under the supervision of the Iraqi forces was a move "first" to inform them of the determination of the Iraqi government to move them to a camp in Baghdad. Salim told Aswat al-Iraq that the Iraqi government "carried out the first steps towards moving the residents of Ashraf camp to another camp inside the capital Baghdad under the supervision of UN representation in Iraq, as well as the Red Cross and American forces." Salim indicated that "the members of the MKO do not qualify as refugees, and are not covered by the Geneva Conventions, but the Universal Declaration of Human Rights protects them," noting that the Universal Declaration "stresses the need for humane treatment covered by it, in addition to providing some of the items to them and ways to live without being forced to return to their home countries." She denied the Human Rights Ministry, which is responsible for a file on Ashraf camp, "has an intention [as part] of the Iraqi government to return them forcibly to their country of Iran, if they are unwilling. [The Ministry is] taking into account their transfer to a place where all available medical and social conditions of humanity exist, while ensuring their safe transportation and to not expose them to lack of these where they are. " In the same vein, Salim revealed, "the government approached the European countries to host them on their territory as refugees." Iraqi forces entered Camp Ashraf on the 15 December, where the members of the Iranian MKO live, to inform them of government's intention to transfer them to another camp in Baghdad in the coming days, and inviting elements of the Organization who wish to leave the camp to approach the Iraqi security forces stationed around the camp to take action on their behalf. ------- Also: Reality Check: Understanding a terrorist organization, MEK, MEK, Rajavi cult . ... In his effort to portrait his notorious organization as an important figure in Iran-West relations, Safavi calls his group "the biggest enemy" of Islamic Republic. He fails to consider that MEK's deliberately targeted and planned sabotage operations against civilians and its bad fame due to collaboration with Saddam Hussein during the eight years of Iran-Iraq war ... Mazda Parsi, Nejat Bloggers, April 11, 2010 [MKO's extensive propaganda campaign for spreading faked information about the true nature of its terrorist destructive cult had set for a new purification project in order to remove dirty stains of terrorist activities and atrocities of their cult from the historical memory of public opinion. To achieve such an unlikely goal, Ali safavi, the group's henchman, does too much effort to write a series of posts denying the crimes committed by his organization. Nejat Society, in turn, views it as essential to enlighten the minds about the claims made by MKO remnants.] ------ Also read: Mojahedin a bargaining chip in Iran - US negotiations The transcribed version of BBC 2- News Night program on MKO http://www.iran-interlink.org/?mod=view&id=1620 . . I Mojahedin a bargaining chip in * * * * Mojahedin a bargaining chip in Iran - US negotiations The transcribed version of BBC 2- News Night program on MKO For two decades it was one of the oddest armies on the earth. I know the MEK supports a secular democratic, non nuclear Iran. What's there to oppose them? We should be a help to them in any way we can. "they view the people 's Mujahedin as an existential threat because they know that the Mujahedin has a large support among the Iranian people and that is why they have spent no effort in fight to illegalize the Mujahedin by engaging in a massive expensive propaganda Campaign to demonize the Muajhedin. "they told me that they set two people to find my wife and one of them was killed by the Regime but they said that they persued my case with a second and they found out that my wife had died when giving birth to my daughter . That's how they cut my ties with my family. Same time, they told my wife that I was killed by the Regime as I was leaving the country. they decreed that every member should divorce. All your thought and feeling and energy, your whole being have to be devoted to the Rajavis. That was a forced system of reporting, any erotic fantasy they had for example they have aroused by sister so so or by what's his name brother. They were expected to tell everything totally open, any thing was in your mind or you feel with your heart. Mojahedin a bargaining chip in http://www.iran-interlink.org/?mod=view&id=1620 -------- Also: New document on Mojahedin Khalq released by RAND (The Mujahedin-e Khalq in Iraq, A Policy Conundrum) . . . RAND, August 05, 2009 A new document (133pages) was released today by RAND * * * Link to the document (pdf file) ... A RAND study examined the evolution of this controversial decision, which has left the United States open to charges of hypocrisy in the war on terrorism. An examination of MeK activities establishes its cultic practices and its deceptive recruitment and public relations strategies. A series of coalition decisions served to facilitate the MeK leadership's control over its members. The government of Iraq wants to expel the group, but no country other than Iran will accept it. Thus, the RAND study concludes that the best course of action would be ... Link to the document (pdf file) ------- Also read: U.S. Handling of Mujahedin-E-Khalq Since U.S. Invasion of Iraq Is Examined (The Mujahedin-e Khalq in Iraq , A Policy Conundrum) . . Jeremiah Goulka, Lydia Hansell, Elizabeth Wilke, Judith Larson, RAND, August 04, 2009 At the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Coalition forces classified the Mujahedin-e Khalq, a militant organization from Iran with cult-like elements that advocates the overthrow of Iran's current government, as an enemy force. The MeK had provided security services to Saddam Hussein from camps established in Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War to fight Iran in collaboration with Saddam's forces and resources. A new study from the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization, looks at how coalition forces handled this group following the invasion. Although the MeK is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States, coalition forces never had a clear mission on how to deal with it. After a ceasefire was signed between Coalition forces and the MeK, the U.S. Secretary of Defense designated this group's members as civilian "protected persons" rather than combatant prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions. The coalition's treatment of the MeK leaves it – and the United States in particular – open to charges of hypocrisy, offering security to a terrorist group rather than breaking it up. Research suggests that most of the MeK rank-and-file are neither terrorists nor freedom fighters, but trapped and brainwashed people who would be willing to return to Iran if they were separated from the MeK leadership. Many members were lured to Iraq from other countries with false promises, only to have their passports confiscated by the MeK leadership, which uses physical abuse, imprisonment, and other methods to keep them from leaving. Iraq wants to expel the group, but no country other than Iran will accept it. The RAND study suggests the best course of action would have been to repatriate MeK rank-and-file members back to Iran, where they have been granted amnesty since 2003. To date, Iran appears to have upheld its commitment to MeK members in Iran. The study also concludes better guidelines be established for the possible detention of members of designated terrorist organizations. The study, "The Mujahedin-e Khalq in Iraq: A Policy Conundrum," can be found here. For more information, or to arrange an interview with the authors, contact Lisa Sodders in the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 393-0411, ext. 7139, or email@example.com. Learn More iconFull Document (http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG871/) iconNational Security Research Area (http://www.rand.org/research_areas/national_security/) iconE-mail sign up (http://www.rand.org/publications/email.html) ------- Also read: I. Summary II. Background III. Rise of Dissent inside the MKO IV. Human Rights Abuses in the MKO Camps V. Testimonies May 2005
-------- Also read: Wahsington backed terrorists used to discredit Iranian demands for justice Fox News Channel: Communist Terrorist Television for Dupes . . Professor Paul Sheldon Foote, USA, June 20, 2009 On October 1, 2007, I posted "Fox News Channel: Communist Terrorist Television for Dupes". http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-iongVI On June 20, 2009, the Fox News Channel devoted the entire day of live programming to coverage of the unrest in Iran. For supporters of the Iranian communist MEK (MKO, PMOI, NCRI, Rajavi Cult, or Pol Pot of Iran) terrorists, there was no need to watch their Sima Azadi television channel via satellite. Throughout the day, the Fox News Channel provided favorable coverage for the communist terrorists. Some examples were:
Also read: On the occasion of American Independence Day . . By Massoud Khodabandeh, July 04, 2009 All kinds of interesting news has been coming out of the USA during the past couple of weeks. Not least the news of large scale organised American support for Mirhossein Mousavi the defeated Iranian presidential candidate. Notably Mr Mousavi served as the Islamic Republic's Prime Minister in the early years of the Islamic Republic when the same Americans were calling him the henchman of Ayatollah Khomeini, etc. It is widely believed that this support for Mirhosein Mousavi under the banner of a so-called "green revolution" has been part of a failed coup orchestrated by the regime change advocates who intended to bring a puppet Middle Eastern style "President" to rule Iran. If this had happened, President Obama would be able to make his next message to the Moslem World under the new Iranian flag rather than under the Egyptian flag alongside "President" Mobarak. But it did not happen and perhaps it could not happen taking into consideration obvious facts on the ground, which have been ignored by the USA for the last 30 years. There are, of course, others who simply believe that the hugely expensive and costly support of the US Government for the "green revolution of the people of Iran" is down to the commitment of the US Government to bringing DEMOCRACY and HUMAN RIGHTS (yes I am talking about the US of A) to countries across the globe. On the occasion of American Independence Day, let us remember the people who lost their lives for their country and wonder at those people who stand today under the same flag only to LOBBY for the murderers of their servicemen. "… At a Capitol Hill press conference on June 26th, Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, declared the U.S. should explicitly side with Iranian "resistance groups", including the MEK, which he described as a "democratic, non-nuclear, secular group fighting for freedom for all the people in Iran." The U.S. State Department notes that the MEK "advocates the violent overthrow of the Iranian regime and was responsible for the assassination of several U.S. military personnel and civilians in the 1970's," and that the group maintains "the capacity and will to commit terrorist acts in Europe, the Middle East, the United States, Canada, and beyond …" "… Lewis Lee Hawkins, the only son of Herman and Mary Webster Hawkins, was born in Chicago, Illinois on 8 August 1930. Herman and Mary would eventually move and raise their family in Plymouth, Indiana… His final assignment came in July 1972 when he was attached to the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group to the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces in Tehran, Iran. Annette and Lee joined Lewis in Tehran where they lived in the Abass-Abad neighborhood. On the morning of 2 June 1973, as Lewis was walking from his home to a street corner to be picked up by his driver, two terrorists riding a motorcycle fired at point-blank range and fired two or three shots killing Lewis instantly. Lewis was survived by his wife Annette; three sons, Terry, Ronald, and Lee; his parents, Herman and Mary Hawkins of Rowan, Iowa; and two sisters Mary Duran of Plymouth and Mona Crocker of Belmond, Iowa. His daughter preceded him in death…" Captain Lewis Lee Hawkins (Photograph courtesy Annette Hawkins) .
(Link to the Video file Part one, 100MB)
(Link to the Video file Part two, 100MB)
(A cult session in Ashraf Camp Iraq)
Link to the video file (200 MB, One hour)
link to the original (Arabic)
In another effort to purify MEK's record, the group's remnants published another article allegedly to "shed light on the provenance of MEK's designation [1] as a terrorist organization. As always, the so-called article includes list of allegations, accusations to attack Islamic Republic and Western politic men, accusing former for alleged disinformation against MEK or the latter for appeasement policy towards Iran. However, the writer never tries to defend his organization for its terrorist label. He doesn't present the least evidence to prove that his organization has not committed terrorist activities except in one place.
Thorough introductory paragraphs he claims that "MEK's resorting to armed actions against military targets in Iran until summer of 2001 has been cited by some Western government agencies, including the US Department of State, as evidence to invite the designation of the group as terrorist"[2], although in fact more than 90% of their intended targets and almost 95% of their casualties have been Iranian civilians.[3]In 1972 MEK's first terrorist operation took place in Tehran where they launched a bombing attack against an electricity factory which was not a military target. Since then, the group launched a countless number of terrorist operations against Iranian civilians especially after the Islamic Revolution. The list of MEK's mortar attacks, bombings and assassinations has been already published in numerous occasions by various international, governmental or private institutes including defectors' websites, US Department of state, RAND (National Defense Research Institute)...
Among MEK's terrorist acts against civilians, the most crucial ones are "Attack on offices of General Motors in 1972, Bombing of offices of Oman Bank and Pan-American Oil and of gates of British embassy in 1974,suicide attacks targeting senior clerics in Tabriz, Khorasan, Shiraz and Rasht in 1981 and 1982,simultaneous raids on Iranian embassies in 13 countries in 1922,bombing of Imam Reza Shrine in 1994,Assassination of two former MEK members in 1996,bombing of Tehran Revolution Court in 1998,mortar attack at Chamran University of Ahwaz 2000, mortar attack on President Khatami's palace in Tehran in 2000,mortar attack on residential housing complex in Tehran in 2000.[4]
In his effort to portrait his notorious organization as an important figure in Iran-West relations, Safavi calls his group "the biggest enemy" of Islamic Republic. He fails to consider that MEK's deliberately targeted and planned sabotage operations against civilians and its bad fame due to collaboration with Saddam Hussein during the eight years of Iran-Iraq war, ends in the hatred of the majority of Iranians. Elaheh Hicks of Human Rights Watch says:" many, many Iranians inside Iran resent the MEK, the Iranian government actually benefits from having an opposition like this."[5]
According to what criteria an organization will be considered "terrorist"?
"Terrorism "is in the most general sense, the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. since 1994, the Unite Nations General Assembly has repeatedly condemned terrorist acts using the following political description of terrorism:" criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke state of terror in the general public or persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstance unjustifiable, whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or any other nature that may be involved to justify them"[6]
Therefore, MEK's use of violence against civilian targets should never be justified by its weird cult-like ideology. This is what Ali Safavi fears to discuss. He daren't to deal with terrorism designation in nature because he and his ideological leader Massoud Rajavi have nothing, no evidence to defend their terrorist destructive cult for its numerous acts of terrorism. They are not able to prove that their terror label is invalid so they try to accuse the Islamic Republic instead of defending their group.
Also a less politically and emotionally charged, and more easily definable term for terrorism is "violent non-state actor"[7] this term covers the whole MEK's activities since its foundation. The group has been always engaged in armed struggle and violent overthrow of Iranian regime, it has never been a governmental entity and its background had been blended a countless number of violent attacks against military or civilian targets (about 12000 deaths).
After Massoud Rajavi fled to France in 1981, his first decision was to change the name of notorious MEK (Mujahedin –e- Khalq) to NCRI (National Council of Resistance of Iran) which allowed the MEK to stay in Western political scene and not to be threatened as a terrorist organization. However, NCR was also added to Foreign terrorist organization list of Department of state in August 2003 and its office in Washington DC was closed and its assets were blocked.
Rajavi's crimes against humanity do not end in Iran and against Iranian civilians, according to many documents, MEK had a longstanding alliance with former Iraqi dictator. They cooperated with Baath regime to suppress Kurds' uprisings in Iraq in 1991. A lot of former members offered testimonies of Kurds suppression operation (Morvarid Operation) where Maryam Rajavi ordered members to "take Kurds under the tank and save bullets for Iranian soldiers".[8]
Along with his deceitful propaganda campaign, Ali Safavi claims that Western policy toward Iran has failed and it is time for Obama administration to unite with his terrorist cult of personality. He fails to understand that the reality is that the world community especially Iranians, Iraqis and even Americans never forget the atrocities of MEK terrorist Organization and the threat of that destructive cult.
[1]: Ali Safavi,Reality Check, Huffington Post,March31,2010.
[3]Charles Kent, Terrorist living among us, June 5,2009
[4]the Mujahedin khalq in Iraq,apolicy conundrum,RAND,August 2009.
[5] Charles Kent, Terrorist living among us, June 5,2009
[7] Ibid
[8]Kurds Suppression, Nejat Publications
(Daniel Zucker, Maryam Rajavi and ALi Safavi)
(Ali Safavi as the commander of Saddam's Private Army in Iraq)
(Maryam Rajavi directly ordered the massacre of Kurdish people)
(Rabbi Daniel Zucker with Maryam Rajavi!)
Iran - US negotiations
(Video file, 23 MB)
(BBC TV, Newsnight, January 17 2007)
Prevailed to overthrow the ayatollahs in Iran, The widow Maryam Rajavi stuck amongst fanatical devotion. She is accused by some of running a crew, a manipulative cult.
The America which protects the now-disarmed fighters in Iraq can't decide what to do about them, it runs the people Mujahedin, also known as MEK or MKO as terrorists but according to some politicians it is still a potential ally.
Bob Filner (Democrat):
The Mujahedin's position in Iraq now is a desperate uncomfortable one. Just north of Baqdad you find Ashraf in a vast desert. This land was given to them by Saddam Hussein but the new Iraqi government wants them out. And even though President Bush has so far rejected propose to talk to Iran. American policy makers believe the Mujahedin would actually have to be scarified for better relations with Iran.
Keneth Pollak:
Iran and the US need to work together to stabilize Iraq which will be disastrous for both countries if it's led to civil war. We also have the nuclear negotiations which are very very delicate and we don't want the MKO to make muddy those already troubled waters. The other matter is that the US does need to take charges against the MKO that is a terrorist organization.
We are in a house in the suburb of Leeds.
Ann Singleton and her husband Masud also are ex-Mujahedin activists who now campaign against the movement that commanded them absolute loyalty for twenty years. She joined MKO when she was a student in Manchester University in the late 1970's when the students believed that they can change the world.
Ann Singleton :
The only organization which I had access to directly and that would actually going out to doing something was the Mujahedin. They would ask for donations of course and that is how they recruited the crew I guess. The process started with me. They would ask for money and I would give them more than that they asked for to show them my commitment.
Mujahedin began as a guerrilla group fighting the shah of Iran. Along side the followers of Ayatollah Khomeini, they succeeded to overthrow the Pahlavies in 1979.
But afterwards ayatollah Khomeini was not willing to share the power with them. Mujahedin rose to debate him but they were defeated.
From then on the organization was bored with the Islamic Republic. Hundred of Iranian officials were killed or wounded by Mujahedin's bombs. In one attack the country's current supreme leader Ayatollah Khameneiee lost his right arm.
In several times in the 1980's these fighters invaded Iran from Iraq. Meanwhile thousands of Mujahedin members were executed in Iranian jails. The leader of the organization and many supporters fled to the West.
Ali Safavi who works for Muajhedin's umbrella organization, NCRI, he has convinced many politicians that this movement which has left violence is a democratic alternative to the Islamic Republic:" All accusations against them" he says " are organized by Iran".
Ali Safavi:
But there is no evidence that Abbas Sadeqinejad relates to Iranian intelligence. This former Mujahedin member who now lives in Germany with his family that he thought he had lost for ever when he fled Iran. The years when he stayed in Camp Ashraf he believed what the Mujahedin had told him that his wife and his new born daughter were dead.
"Psychological manipulation" as described to Newsnight by many interviewed former members. This part of the system of control by Masud Rajavi and his new wife Maryam was established in Iraq in the 80's and 90's. They launched what they called "Ideological Revolution". The women got key jobs. The announcement of sexual feelings became forbidden and divorce became obligatory.
Reporter: were all members forced to divorce?
Safavi: No, every individual member of the Mojahedin decided on his own to forget family life, those who were married of course.
Reporter: all of them?
Safavi: yes. Yes. All of them.
- So every single married member in Ashraf at that time made the voluntary decision to divorce or forget the family life?
-How many people where there?
-I don't exactly know what the number was but hundreds people ,yes every member of the hundreds.
- Hundreds?
- Hundreds. Every single one voluntarily to divorce!
- Yes.
- Isn't it implausible to see that hundreds of members, all voluntarily take a decision to divorce?
-Not at all.
The level of devotion expended to the members' squirm of suicide feared European citizens in 2003. To protest the temporary arrest of Maryam Rajavi
. The Newsnight has serious accounts that in the 1990's those who seemed less reliable were tortured in the confinement of the organization's Camp in Iraq.
Sadeqi: they hit my knees so hard…. He pulled my hair and said that he would teach me a lesson I would never get. He put handcuff on me and hung me from my right hand…. I shouted why you are hitting a member of the organization. But they hung me like that for twenty minutes. …
Mujahedin were the guests for Saddam Hussein in 1980's when he was the ally in war with Iran of the West. He offered them the most convenient bases. It was certain that their association with the Iraqi traitor would become their big terrible trouble. In the 1990's after the Iraq invaded Kuwait, Saddam became the West's enemy. Meanwhile in 1997,when the new reformist president Muhammad Khatami was elected in Tehran, in that year America listed the Mujahedin as terrorists, something that weakened their abilities to work on fund raising in West. Some believe that the move was a coquetry just to appease Iran.
Kenneth Polack:
There was definitely a debate within the US government. As to whether or not the MKO should be added to the list but the ultimate decision that was made was that the US needs to be consistent at the application of its standards. That no country would take the US seriously if the only groups that are put on the list of terrorists were the groups who are at war with the US and its allies.
In 2001, the US attacked Afghanistan. Both America and Iran after the remove of Taliban had a reason to talk. One of the deals the officials looked around was that the US and Iran talk about the existence of Mujahedin.
Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson:
We had some intelligence, indicated that some key senior officials of AlQaida might have gone to Iran. Just casual conversations suggested that Iran should be willing to turn over those AlQaida figures and we had to give them a probe and whenever speaking of the pre-proposed proba MEK was there. It happened around discussions almost all the time because it was clear that Iran is very concerned about the MEK.
Laurence Wilkerson and his boss Collin Powell weren't sure how high in the Iranian government the approach came from. They didn't listen to the offer but a year and a half later there was a better chance to deal.
After the US-led invasion of Iraq, Iran sent Washington a secret letter proposing talks.
Here, we have a copy of the letter; it's not signed but the State Department understood that it came with the approval of the highest authorities in Tehran and that offers exactly what many in Washington, believe America should have been seeking from Iran.
Tehran offered to use its influence to support stabilization in Iraq and to have full transparency on its nuclear programme and remarkably end the military support to the militant Lebanese group Hezbollah and aid to the Palestinian Hamas. In return it wanted t US to halt hostile behavior, abolition of all sanctions and specifically pursuit of the Mujahedin and repatriation of their members.
Wilkerson: and we thought, it was precious moment to do that. I think the Secretary of State and Deputy of the Secretary of State just thought at the same time but when it got to the White House and to the Vice-President's Office, the old mantra that we don't talk to the evils which includes the guy of Pyongyang, North Korea and includes the guy of Tehran, Iran. Reasserted itself and to our embarrassment, State as far as I'm concerned the cable that I saw go back to the Swiss, ashly upbraided the Swiss to being so bold and audacious to present such a proposal to us on behalf of Iran.
It was the Zenith of American strength in the region, a natural time for republicans of the White House to wonder if the regime change in Iraq could be followed by the regime change in Iran
Mujahedin obvious allies in a research campaign have been bombed by the US during the invasion in Iraq and afterwards the State Department ordered Them to be disarmed but the especial Pentagon forces sent to perform that task found out so instantly how useful the exiled fighters could be.
Military Lawyer (Vivian Gembara): they were a formidable fighting force there, I mean but it was not the best equipped force that we have ever seen. A Force which is led by women. It's such a unique: I mean it sounds like almost fiction.
And the US army's instant infatuation with Muajhedin fully were recruited a very pragmatic force that was so loyal to Saddam, now apparently wanted to serve America in any way it could.
Military lawyer: we wanted to disband them essentially and that was what we had a problem with because they still wanted to work with us.
Back in Washington the state of Department wasn't interested…
Wilkerson: everyday from Monday to Friday we had meetings at the State Department from 8:30 and one of the questions that came up almost everyday was what we have to do with the MEK, the MEK were still wondering around Iraq, still they had their arms .they are still a cohesive body of people saying what's happening? They're a terrorist organization we declare them ourselves. The President, himself does agree that we should do something about the MEK but nothing is happening. The Defense Department doesn't do any thing. By their actions, I must say that Secretary of Defense and his underlings and the Vice President's Office must have thought that the MEK might prove the fruitful instrument in the future and therefore they don't want to take any drastic action against the MEK.
President Bush has now relinquished the services of the former Defense Secretary Donald Ramsfeld but Newsnight understands that still the strong pro-Mujahedin lobby within the administration, one of the possibilities ,apparently have been concerning is to use the group as a go-between to help American forces reach outs to Sunni insurgence.
Meanwhile in Europe the charismatic leader of the Iranian resistance Maryam Rajavi has been rallying among her supporters with talking of victory. The Mujahedin have just wanted the Judgment of European court of justice on freezing their assets that they believe it's the first step to removing the terrorist tag, that still haunts them. Though their last attack was in 1999 and they have since renounced any military role.
Ali Safavi: Instead of tying engaged with Mullahs in Tehran the international community has to reach out to the democratic opposition and the very opposition which by the key reveal allegations on the Iran's nuclear weapons program. In some sense really the international community and the Western countries owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Mujahedin.
In fact there's no more much sign of support for the Mujahedin in Iran. Since they moved to Iraq they've been widely regarded as traitors. The disbanding of the group plays as the key goal for Tehran. In the short term chances of the US-Iranian relations is very little. President Ahmadinejad and President Bush both talk with the language of confrontation but many in Washington regret that.
Wilkerson: I think the failure of the US to make some sort of meaningful overtures to Tehran has been a terrible mistake that has put Iran in a strategic position in the Middle East that she couldn't have gained by her own magi. We have through our inaptitude and our refusal of the talk, it is certainly giving Iran the cat-bird seat in the region.
Published by the Mujahedin's latest promotional material, the 3500 remaining residents of Ashraf deprived of their military role enjoy a cultural life in the middle of the Iraqi desert. They even revived their own form of dance.
The organization believe that they can survive here under the protection of Geneva and again one day play a big role in the Iranian political scene but as Tehran strengthens its influence in Iraq and the US runs an eventual plan the Mujahedin's time must have been running out.
Iran - US negotiations
(Video file, 23 MB)
(BBC TV, Newsnight, January 17 2007)
(Camp Ashraf)
(Massoud and Maryam Rajavi the cult leaders)
(Massoud Rajavi and Saddam Hussein)
No Exit
Human Rights Abuses Inside the Mojahedin Khalq Camps
During the 11:00 – 11:30 AM (PST) segment, Fox News Channel showed MEK supporters in front of the White House waving their communist flags. The panelists for this segment, Charles Krauthammer and Courtney Kealy, failed to identify or to condemn the supporters of the communist terrorists. These terrorists have murdered American military officers, Rockwell International employees, and large numbers of Iranian and Iraqi civilians. In September 2002, former President George W. Bush's White House published a background paper for Bush's remarks at the United Nations listing the MEK as a pretext for the Iraq War. In 2003, American and coalition forces attacked and killed some of the MEK terrorists at Camp Ashraf, Iraq.
In a later segment, Congressman Darryl Issa (Republican—California) commented that empowerment of people has changed Communist China for the better!
During Shepard Smith's segment, Smith showed a video of the MEK rally in Paris, France and identified them as the PMOI. The only negative reference to the MEK occurred when Amy Kellogg speculated that the MEK might be responsible for a possible suicide bombing at Ayatollah Khomeini's shrine in Tehran. Shepard Smith neither responded nor indicated that PMOI and MEK are two names for the same communist terrorist organization.
During Geraldo Rivera's segment, former Senator Rick Santorum, who was a strong supporter of the MEK in the United States Senate, noted that former Senator (and now Vice President) Biden had originally opposed the Iran Freedom Support Act.
Then, Geraldo Rivera showed video of Maryam Rajavi's MEK rally in Paris, France and interviewed Fox News Channel Foreign Affairs Analyst, who headed the NCRI office in Washington, DC until the Federal Government closed the office.
In 2007, Fox News Channel viewers could claim to have been duped by relying upon the Fox News Channel for news. Now, Fox News Channel viewers have no excuses. Those who rely upon the Fox News Channel as a source of accurate news are traitors to all Americans who fought or died fighting communists. Americans do not need to look to Iran or to the Middle East in search for America's worst enemies. America's worst enemies are in America.
Whichever way you may look at it, I am sure you would agree that the most hilarious, and at the same time, sad position has been that taken by American law makers who advocate support for the same terrorists who have killed American servicemen.


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< Return To Hearing
The Honorable Patrick Leahy
United States Senator
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy, This morning, the Committee will turn to the "Public Corruption Prosecution Improvements Act of 2009," a bill that Senator Cornyn and I introduced to strengthen and clarify key aspects of Federal criminal law and provide new tools and resources to help investigators and prosecutors attack public corruption nationwide. The Committee agreed to and reported this bipartisan bill last Congress. We reintroduced it on the first day of this new Congress to see it enacted without further delay. It has sadly become apparent that public corruption is a serious and pervasive problem that erodes the trust the American people have in those who are given the privilege of public service. Make no mistake: The stain of corruption has spread to all levels of government. It is an issue that both parties must address. This is a problem that victimizes every American by chipping away at the foundations of our democracy and, too often, loopholes in existing laws have meant that corrupt conduct can go unchecked. Rooting out the kinds of public corruption that have resulted in convictions of members of the House and the Senate, senior state officials, and many others, requires us to give prosecutors the tools and resources they need to investigate and prosecute criminal public corruption offenses. This bill will do exactly that, and it is past time for Congress to take decisive action to combat this corrosive problem. The bill provides $100 million in much-needed additional funding for public corruption enforcement. Since September 11, 2001, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) resources have been shifted away from the pursuit of white collar crime to counterterrorism. The New York Times recently noted that, despite the many high profile corruption cases in recent years, corruption prosecutions fell an estimated 14 percent over the past eight years. We must reverse this trend and make sure that law enforcement has the tools and the resources it needs to confront these serious and corrosive crimes. The bill also extends the statute of limitations from five to six years for the most serious public corruption offenses. Public corruption cases are among the most difficult and time-consuming cases to investigate. Bank fraud, arson and passport fraud, among other offenses, all have 10-year statutes of limitations. Public corruption offenses cut to the heart of our democracy. This modest increase to the statute of limitations is a reasonable step to help our corruption investigators and prosecutors do their jobs. The bill raises the statutory maximum penalties for several laws dealing with official misconduct, including theft of government property and bribery. Such an increase reflects the serious nature of these crimes, and would harmonize the punishment for these crimes with other similar statutes. This bill goes further by amending several key statutes to broaden their application in corruption and fraud contexts and to eliminate legal ambiguities. It appropriately clarifies the definition of what it means for a public official to perform an "official act" for the purposes of the bribery statute and closes several other gaps in current law. It adds two corruption-related crimes as predicates for the Federal wiretap and racketeering statutes and makes other important statutory fixes. Much attention has focused on the bill's fix to the gratuities statute making clear that public officials may not accept anything of value, other than what is permitted by existing rules and regulations, given to them because of their official position. I want to make clear that this fix to the gratuities statute simply restores the law to where it was prior to the Supreme Court's decision in the 1999 Sun-Diamond Growers case. Justice Scalia read into the statute a requirement of essentially the same kind of proof linking a gift to a specific official act for a gratuities violation that would be needed for a bribery violation - even though gratuities is a two-year offense, while bribery is a 15-year offense. As a result of this judicially imposed change, the gratuities statute has all but been rendered obsolete. Some clearly corrupt conduct goes uncharged, while other cases are charged as bribery since so little additional proof is needed for that offense. This bill seeks to return the law to its pre-Sun Diamond status, which was the law the Federal circuits had been implementing. This important provision contains appropriate safeguards while putting teeth behind the ethical reforms the Senate adopted in the last Congress. In response to concerns expressed by Senator Specter, we added in the last Congress an explicit exception for any gifts permitted by rules or regulations. This exception makes clear that modest ceremonial gifts like caps or jerseys from victorious sports teams, which are permitted by the rules, could never form the basis for a prosecution. It also provides an additional assurance that campaign contributions, which were never covered by the gratuities statute, are not to be prosecuted as illegal gratuities. This year, we have agreed to further changes suggested by Senator Specter to strengthen this "safe harbor" provision. Senator Cornyn and I are fully committed to continuing to work with Senator Specter after the bill is reported from Committee to add other appropriate safeguards to this provision, as long as they do not undermine the statutes this bill seeks to strengthen. The bipartisan bill is supported by the Department of Justice, as well as by a wide array of public interest groups that have long advocated for vigorous enforcement of our fraud and public corruption laws, including the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen, U.S. PIRG, and the National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys. If we are serious about addressing the kinds of egregious misconduct that we have witnessed over the past several years in high-profile public corruption cases, Congress should enact meaningful legislation to give investigators and prosecutors the tools and resources they need to enforce our laws. |

subset: commoncrawl


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Danze DC017118WH White 23-3/4" Self-Rimming Lavatory Sink with 8" Centers from the Orrington® Collection
Item #:
Technical Specs
Installation Guide | |
Homeowner Care Manual | |
Specification Sheet | |
ADA | No |
Basin Depth | 5.13 |
Basin Length | 17 |
Basin Width | 10.25 |
Drain Assembly Included | No |
Drain Connection | 1.75 |
Faucet Centers | 8 |
Faucet Holes | 3 |
Faucet Included | No |
Height | 7.125 |
Installation Type | Pedestal |
Length | 23.75 |
Material | Vitreous China |
Mounting Type | Widespread |
Overflow | Yes |
Sink Shape | Oval |
Theme | Traditional |
Width | 23.75 |
Self-Rimming Lavatory Sink
- Designed to fit 24" freestanding vanity model DF012124.
- Width: 23 3/4".
- Widespread faucet mounting 8" centers.
- Overflow.
- 17-3/8"(L) x 23-3/4"(W) x 7-1/8"(H)
Additional Danze Links
- View Manufacturer Warranty
- Shop All Danze Products
- Shop All Danze Orrington Collection Products
Our SKU: DC017118
This product is listed under the following manufacturer number(s):
Biscuit - DC017118WH
*Denotes a finish or option that has been discontinued
Danze offers faucets and plumbing necessities to match your bathroom or kitchen style. In the last 10 years, Danze has quickly become a stake holder in providing eco-friendly faucets. Its team conducts research and development to manufacture water conscious and environmentally conscious products and make sure to educate its customers on best water practices. Danze fixtures provide years of affordable beauty and trouble-free performance.
Danze Orrington Collection
Why simply uphold tradition when you can elevate it to a gorgeously rarified level? That's the question. The Orrington® powder room collection from Danze delivers a fresh, insightful answer. The design dances gracefully between decorative flourish and elegant understatement with the sublime use of oval shapes carried seamlessly throughout the full suite of products. All crafted with the premium materials and attention to detail demanded of the finest furnishings.
Other Products In The Danze Orrington Collection
Danze D497661
Angle Mount Tank Lever from the Orrington Collection
$51.00$30.95 -
Danze DC011223
1.6GPF One-Piece Toilet with 3" Flush Valve from the Orrington Collection
$795.00$453.15 -
Danze DC016028
30" Pedestal Top Bathroom Sink with 8" Centers from the Orrington® Collection
$310.00$154.58 -
Danze DC018110
30" Pedestal Column from the Orrington® Collection
$205.00$109.61 -
Danze DC011323
1.28GPF One-Piece High Efficiency Toilet from the Orrington Collection
Warranty Info
Danze Lifetime Warranty
Danze offers a a lifetime warranty, backed by superior customer service.
Danze offers a a lifetime warranty, backed by superior customer service.
All parts of the Danze faucet are warranted to the original consumer purchaser to be free from defects in material and workmanship for as long as the consumer purchaser owns it. Danze stands behind this claim with toll-free customer service availability 7 days a week for installation assistance and replacement parts.
Canada: 1-800-487-8372
For quick reference information regarding spec sheet, parts lists and installation instructions, click on the Technical Specs button in the search menu above.


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More copies of this ISBNHungry Girl Chew the Right Thing Recipe Cards: Supreme Makeovers for 50 Foods You Craveby Lisa Lillien
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:Hungry Girl's FIRST-EVER recipe card set!!! Now You Can Give In To Temptation... 50 Insanely Delicious Guilt-Free recipe swaps in a super-fun card deck! Take a look at these crazy delicious treats: *Red Velvet Insanity Cupcakes: 140 calories each! *Woohoo Waffle Stack: 226 calories for the whole stack! *Amazing Ate-Layer Dip: 105 Calories per serving! *Planet Hungrywood Sweet & Capn Crunchy Chicken: 234 calories per serving Enjoy 50 Supreme Makeovers for 50 foods you crave! Synopsis:The bestselling author and the creator of the Hungry Girl brand packages 50 of the best Hungry Girl "Chew The Right Thing" Bite It/Fight It recipe swaps together in an easy-to-use deck of cards.
About the AuthorShe's not a nutritionist, she's just hungry! Lisa Lillien is a number-one New York Times bestselling author and the creator of the Hungry Girl brand. She is the founder of hungry-girl.com, the worldwide phenomenon daily email service that entertains and informs hungry people everywhere! What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
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Two Tribes United.....Over Laundry
- Details
- Created on Saturday, 03 May 2003 03:30
- Written by Jamie Kiffel
Although Foxwoods, which has been open since 1992, had more laundry than Mohegan Sun, whose hotel only opened in July of last year, "[Chairman Reels] is a realist and knew that we were growing," Brown explains.
Both Brown and Reels had been struggling to find a time-efficient, high-quality facility at which to clean roughly 20,000 pounds of laundry apiece, daily. Atlantic City Linen Supply, which opened a $14 million ultra-automated facility in Atlantic City in 2001, had planned to expand to serve the Connecticut casinos. "Because of our reputation in Atlantic City, they took the time to come visit us, and liked what they saw," says Victor Nappen, Vice President of Sales for ACLS.
When the laundry offered to use its extensive trucking system to transport the Connecticut casinos' laundry to and from its Atlantic City facility, both casinos agreed. It was expensive, but "there was no one in Connecticut that could handle the magnitude of our laundry," Brown says.
"We overcame the cost of transportation through cost savings in other places," says Nappen. "We had linen controls that reduced losses through proper wash formulas, handling procedures. We do a good job the first time out."
"They wanted us, we wanted them," says David Goldberg, President/Chief Executive Officer of ACLS. With a combined total of 2700 hotel rooms (Foxwoods is slightly larger) as well as 50 restaurants, room service, banquet halls and spas, "We saw a tremendous opportunity to expand," says Thomas D'Onofrio, Vice President of Operations and Strategic Planning for ACLS
An $8 million deal was struck. The new facility would be a 35,000 square-foot version of the 63,000 foot Atlantic City plant, accessible by both casinos, located 25 minutes apart. It will also be utilized by ancillary hotels in the area: Mystic Hilton, Norwich Inn and Spa, and Two Trees. It would include space for an additional 12,000 ft. expansion.
The Connecticut facility will mimic the state-of-the-art Atlantic City laundry on a smaller scale. Using equipment supplied by PAC Industries and Yankee Equipment, the system starts with a Hercules cart dumper that automatically deposits soiled linens on an E-tech conveyor belt. Five employees will sort the linens by type (including sheets, pillows, towels and robes; spa sheets for massage tables; napkins, banquet tablecloths and environmental services cleaning materials). Everything will be automatically weighed and, once the hanging bags reach 120 lbs each, they will be lifted by hydraulics into one of two 12-pocket Milnor CBWs, two 165-lb and two 55-lb open pocket washers. From there, the E-tech system will transport the laundry through two Milnor dryer tunnels to eight 330-pound capacity Milnor dryers. A Chicago Pik-Quik robotic arm will lift the finished sheets from onto a conveyor belt leading to the finishing equipment: five Chicago irons, heaters and auto-folders.
Employing approximately 60 employees, the system will operate on an eight-hour shift, distribute 24 hours a day, and process 5,000 lbs per hour. It saves energy as well as manpower: "The continuous batch washers recycle rinse water," explains Nappen. "We also have a heat reclamation system through Kemco," adds VP of Operations Michael Greico.
And there's another kind of energy being maintained: that of brotherhood. "I see too many businesses spend more money on competing," says Chairman Reels. "I think that we should be working with the Mohegan Sun who are our relatives, our cousins, to reduce our operational costs and increase our profit margins."
"This is a very important time," says Chairman Brown. "Either one of us could have done it alone, but it made more sense to do it together.".
Quick Rinse - News From Around The World
G&K Fined By U.S. Attorney's Office
MINNETONKA, Minn. — G&K Services, Inc., was recently fined $450,000 by the U.S. Attorney's Office. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, G&K discharged too much oil and grease into wastewater at one of their facilities. G&K is headquartered in Minnesota and the facility that was fined is located in Iowa.


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News and Events
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> Event Details
News and Events
The Real Costs of War, Violence, and Denial
Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
LOCATION: Ballston Center, Truland Auditorium
Claude AnShin Thomas
, a Vietnam war veteran who is now a Zen Buddhist Monk and an advocate for active non-violent solutions, is giving this presentation for members of the
Marymount University Student Veterans of America
and interested individuals to address the importance of spiritual healing after exposure to violence.
Thomas established the
Zaltho Foundation
, which promotes peace and nonviolence, and is the author of
At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace
. He is also the creator of a retreat workshop for veterans living with post-traumatic stress,
The Costs of War, Violence and Denial
, which is open to veterans, their family members, and friends.
There is limited parking at Marymount's Ballston Center. Please consider using public transportation. The Ballston Center is two blocks from the Ballston-MU Metro station. If driving, please get a parking pass in the lobby to display in your vehicle. You may be directed to a nearby parking lot, which has free shuttle bus service.
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According to Rokas Tanošiunas and Arkadiusz Hajduk, who run accelerators in Lithuania and Poland, central and eastern Europe are poised to take off, but the region lacks government support says WSJ's Ben Rooney. Photo: Getty Images
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All the All Blacks stats, history and haka information you need.