The leadership of the coalition of state law and lawmaker Abbas al-Bayati refused any decision of the government to conduct negotiations with Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK, also MKO, PMOI) leadership. |
“Iraqi government negotiates with governments not organizations and groups,” al-Bayati told Al-Baghdadia TV. “Political parties or groups have nothing to do with our government, and our relations are within formal frameworks.”
“Our decision regarding the MEK has been made based on our territorial integrity,” he added.
The Iraqi MP went on to say that they will be transferred to another location and “we’ve facilitated their departure to third countries.” “Those who are willing to return to Iran will be provided with necessary facilities.”
Al-Bayati made reference to Rajavi’s recent remarks regarding her willingness to negotiate with Iraqi government and said, “Iraqi government does not recognize Maryam Rajavi, Mujahedin-e Khalq leadership.”
“Mujahedin-e Khalq is an organization which has been used under the Baath regime of Saddam Hussein for political reasons not humanitarian causes,” he continued. “It had been also used as leverage to pressure Iraqi nation in regional conflicts and now we, in New Iraq, do not intend to use leverage against any countries. Thus, we consider them as strangers and not as a group; they must follow Iraq’s laws and regulations.”
Asked if the UN is supervising Camp Liberty, al-Bayati said, “No, the camp is under the control of Iraqi government and (the camp’s control) has nothing to do with the United Nations. “Iraq came to the decision to provide the UN with the reports of the camp, and also let them visit the camp.”
Al-Bayati referred to MKO’s involvement in the 1991 crimes in Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu regions and said that these crimes “must be viewed from a legal perspective.”
Earlier on Thursday, Maryam Rajavi expressed her willingness to travel to Baghdad and negotiate with the Iraqi government in the presence of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq.