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Head of the French parliamentary delegation that is on a visit to Tehran rejected reports about a member of the delegation, Senator Philippe Dallier’s support for the terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO), saying that Dallier had unwittingly attended an MKO meeting in Paris. |
“I suppose Dallier fell in MKO trap like many others,” Senator Philippe Marini said, adding “we are well aware … how unpopular this group can be in Iran.”
On his participation in an MKO gathering in France a long time ago, Senator Dallier told Tasnim that he had no idea it was a rally staged by the terrorist group.
He said he once was invited to a rally in his constituency, a city near Paris, along with some other elected officials.
“All of a sudden, I realized I am sitting next to individuals from other countries. Actually, that day I went there, a general gathering, without any specific plans… At the end of the program I left and have had no contacts with the group ever since,” he said.
The MKO -- listed as a terrorist organization by much of the international community -- fled Iran in 1986 for Iraq, fought on the side of Saddam Hussein during the Iraqi imposed war on Iran (1980-88), and was given a camp by Saddam.
Senator Philippe Marini further said he and his colleagues have come to Iran for high-level talks with Iranian officials.
“This is a very important period for ties between Iran and France,” he said, expressing hope for a major boost in the two countries’ relations in 2014.