The High Representative of Foreign Affairs of the European Union, Baroness Catherine Ashton, in a press briefing , yesterday 23 May, told reporters that one of the subjects discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council was “Camp Ashraf.”
“Those of you who have seen the debates in the EP will also know how important the issue of Camp Ashraf is,” said Ashton to reporters.
Nima Sharif
Europe’s Council of Foreign Ministers met in Brussels today to discuss, among other things, the deploring incidents at Camp Ashraf on 8 April this year that led to the tragic death of 34 unarmed residents of the camp and hundreds of injuries.
While the European Parliaments initiative provides for a long-term solution to the Crisis at Camp Ashraf, the European Union Council of Foreign Ministers should not overlook the immediate danger and the need for protection of the camp residents from further aggressions. A permanent European observing team at the location will undoubtedly prevent more losses of life.
In fact as a major player in today’s world affairs, the EU should take the center stage in insuring that the international humanitarian laws are respected in Iraq. This is especially important at the time when American forces are lowering their presence in that country thus the danger of such incidents would drastically multiply. Europe no longer can afford to stand aside in face of international events and crisis. Ashraf and its protection will be the chance for Europe to realize its role in the new global equation.
Nima Sharif
Under the rule of the Ayatollahs, Iran has seen one of the darkest periods of its history. But thanks to people like Saba Haftbaradaran, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The Daily Telegraph story of life and death of Saba Haftbaradaran, a resident of Camp Ashraf in Iraq who died during the April 8 massacre, was both tragic and shocking. Shooting at unarmed civilians is pure savagery. There is no justification for that no matter what the Iraqi government and military says or what the Iranian regime alleges the residents of the camp to be. Nouri al-Maliki will have to answer for committing crimes against humanity. He must be brought to justice in an international court.
Stop Fundamentalism, 23 May 2011 – President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran called on High Representative Catherine Ashton of the European Union for “urgent measures to protect residents of Ashraf and to prevent a new humanitarian catastrophe.”
In her letter, Mrs. Rajavi called for the support of the European Parliament’s initiative to resolve the crisis at Camp Ashraf in Iraq.
Stop Fundamentalism, 20 May 2011 – Evidence have surfaced by the families of victims of September 11 showing Iran has played a key role in the New York’s 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.
The Families called on the U.S. Government to declassify intelligence about Iran’s involvement.
“Today, nearly a decade after the attacks that took so many of our loved ones away, we believe the 9/11 families and the American people deserve to know the full truth about Iran’s complicity,” said attorney Thomas E. Mellon who represents families of the victims.
Following is a transcript of speech by President Obama on Middle East and North Africa:
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Please, have a seat. Thank you very much. I want to begin by thanking Hillary Clinton, who has traveled so much these last six months that she is approaching a new landmark — one million frequent flyer miles. I count on Hillary every single day, and I believe that she will go down as one of the finest Secretaries of State in our nation’s history.
Stop Fundamentalism, 19 May 2011 – A majority of Members of Parliament in the French National Assembly released a statement in support of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), The main Iranian opposition movement based near Paris.
The statement that was released at a press conference in Paris, yesterday called on the French government to “recognize the resistance against the religious dictatorship in Iran” and to “consider establishing a dialogue with the NCRI.”
Stop Fundamentalism, May 18, 2011 – The Iranian regime hanged two political prisoners, Mohammad and Abdullah Fathi, 27 and 28 years old, Tuesday May 17 on charges of Moharebeh. The two were brothers.
The execution was carriedout in Isfahan’s Dastgerd prison early in the morning.
Moharebe is a political allegation meaning waging war on God. Thousands of political prisoners have been executed in Iran for Moharebeh since the Iranian regime came to power 1979. The 1988 massacre claimed the lives of 30,000 political prisoners.
Their father said that the two, “suffered the same fate as those who were executed for visiting their family members in Camp Ashraf in Iraq.” He was himself a political prisoner during the 80’s along with his brother.
Nima Sharif
Five weeks after a deadly attack on members of the Iranian opposition in Iraq by the Iraqi forces, the international community is yet to take decisive action to prevent another tragedy. While worldwide condemnations poured in moderately quick, little has been done to avoid another crisis.
Stop Fundamentalism, 16 May 2011 – There seems to be a lot of trips back and forth between Tehran and Baghdad lately. The latest man to be received in Tehran is Iraq’s Prime Minister Zibary.
Fars News Agency reported yesterday that just before a High Commission on Economic Cooperation between Iran and Iraq, Houshyar Zibary, will be visiting Tehran in the next few days.
The Economic Commission will meet in June, says the news agency.
Zibary is planning to meet high ranking Iranian officials in this meeting to make preparations for the Baghdad meeting, reports Fars News.
