EU removes Iranian group from terrorism list
LA Times / Achrene Sicakyuz and Borzou Daragahi
27-Jan-2009 (6 comments)

Reporting from Paris and Beirut -- The European Union on Monday announced the removal of a high-profile Iranian opposition group from its list of terrorists, a victory for a movement that European governments have described as a dangerous sect and prosecuted on terrorism charges. The change in the status of the Mujahedin Khalq organization, or MKO, which seeks to overthrow the Iranian government, is likely to complicate attempts by the international community to reach a diplomatic settlement with Tehran over a range of issues. The decision, announced at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, results from recent legal and diplomatic developments combined with intense lobbying by the group, whose leader, Maryam Rajavi, lives in France.

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Hamid Y. Javanbakht

What They Want

by Hamid Y. Javanbakht on Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:39 AM PST

They are idealists, and have learned from their mistakes over the years, essentially they want to be able to go back to their homes without having to fear persecution. There are elements in the MEK which can be quite arrogant, however their group suffered quite a bit of tragedy after the revolution, all they want is some kind of closure. Overtime they will fade away just like the mullahs, and hopefully something more civilized will arise from the ashes, most young Iranians cannot relate with their history, although some may give their sympathies to a worthy cause...it's a matter of strategy. In many ways they are the most useful and important opposition group, but other than the few diehards who lost relatives and have never been back to Iran, people want genuine liberty and fair treatment of all Iranians (Particularly the Bahais). So what if the conspiracies the regime believes in have a grain of truth, acting on them and letting paranoia get the best of them shows weakness, if they had confidence in their own hold on power they would magnanimously allow various dissident views a voice, let the people of Iran give the final word, most likely they want nothing to do with MEK, but loosening their grip over the spectrum of debate will ultimately give them a more lasting type of respect, one must earn their power through debate, open forum, diverse viewpoints, civil discourse and representative democracy...the interesting thing about Iran is they'd prefer the Mullahs for now, although secretly they are hoping for something better to eventually come along.


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france & isreal offered to hire MKO :

by king david (not verified) on Wed Jan 28, 2009 02:28 AM PST

//www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=83927&section...

sarkozi is a traitor himself :

The influential French daily Le Figaro last week revealed that the French leader once worked for --and perhaps still does, it hinted -- Israeli intelligence as a sayan (Hebrew for helper), one of the thousands of Jewish citizens of countries other than Israel who cooperate with the katsas (Mossad case-officers).

hint , sarkozi is a jew


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True, Mojahedin have guts

by Teerdaad (not verified) on Wed Jan 28, 2009 01:02 AM PST

I agree with you "confession". If other so called opposition groups had half the courage and resilience of PMOI, Mullacracy would have been overthrown long time ago. That's why Mojahedin are constantly under regime's demonization campaign.


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Oh....No....

by Izzy (not verified) on Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:35 AM PST

Hey All,

AMERICA might not support them. They were involved in hurting seven U.S. civilians prior to Iranian Revolution. SHAH called them, "Islamic Marxists". If EU did it, that is fine. We have to wait and see the reply from Persian people. What if they say, "NO!" Read SADDAM's PRIVATE ARMY: From Revoltionaries to Cult. That rings the bell.


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They've got balls missing from other so called Opposition groups

by Confession (not verified) on Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:53 PM PST

I am no fan of PMOI but guys let's be honest and admit that they've got BALLZ.

They are very well organized and disciplined and their members are primparily comprised of highly educated and talented Iranians.


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Darius Kadivar

Notice France's FM Kouchner and Sarkozy Firmly Opposed it

by Darius Kadivar on Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:29 PM PST

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and several colleagues warned that the MKO could be again designated as a terrorist group depending on its activities and on a French appeal of a Dec. 4 decision by an EU court to unfreeze nearly $9 million of the group's assets.

The MKO was founded in the 1960s as a radical and often violent guerrilla group opposed to the U.S.-backed monarchy of Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi. It took part in the 1979 revolution that ousted him.


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