Excerpt from document
(C) SUMMARY: During an August 18 meeting with the
Commander of Task Force 134 and Poloff, Ali al-Yassery, the
chairman of the GOI's Ashraf Committee stated: (1) the GOI
regrets the loss of life and will continue to abide by Iraq's
laws and constitution in its dealing with the
Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK); (2) increased domestic pressure to
act against the MEK and the latter's animosity to the Iraqi
state necessitate GOI action; (3) the GOI plans to relocate
the MEK after Ramadan to Muthanna province in the south; and
(3) the GOI would be willing to offer temporary legal status
to the MEK only after they agree to relocate within Iraq. END
SUMMARY.

Full Document
ClassificationSECRET//NOFORN Header
VZCZCXRO6325
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHTRO
DE RUEHGB #2251/01 2311509
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 191509Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4397
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
Content
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002251

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/I AND NEA/IR, NSC FOR PETER VROOMAN AND
KELLY MAGSAMEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2019
TAGS: PGOV, PTER, PREL, IR, IZ
SUBJECT: MEK/ASHRAF UPDATE: GOI PLANNING TO RELOCATE MEK
AFTER RAMADAN

REF: BAGHDAD 2186 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Political Counselor Yuri Kim for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1. (C) SUMMARY: During an August 18 meeting with the
Commander of Task Force 134 and Poloff, Ali al-Yassery, the
chairman of the GOI's Ashraf Committee stated: (1) the GOI
regrets the loss of life and will continue to abide by Iraq's
laws and constitution in its dealing with the
Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK); (2) increased domestic pressure to
act against the MEK and the latter's animosity to the Iraqi
state necessitate GOI action; (3) the GOI plans to relocate
the MEK after Ramadan to Muthanna province in the south; and
(3) the GOI would be willing to offer temporary legal status
to the MEK only after they agree to relocate within Iraq. END
SUMMARY.

2. (C) During an August 18 meeting with Brigadier General
David Quantock (CG TF-134) and Post's Iran Watcher (IW) Ali
Yassery, Chairman of the GOI's Ashraf Committee (and close
relative of PM Maliki) expressed GOI regret at the loss of
life (11 total MEK fatalities as of Aug 18), but asserted
that the MEK comports itself as an enemy of the state with a
nefarious agenda. However, despite the MEK's animosity, the
GOI would continue to tread carefully with the organization
"in accordance with our laws and constitution," Yassery
noted.

3. (C) BG Quantock cautioned against repeating the mistakes
that lead to deaths and injuries. He recommended that the
GOI allow the residents to remain in Ashraf until appropriate
repatriation options had been identified by the GOI and
UNHCR. Yassery concurred with the importance of timely
repatriation, but explained that the GOI plans to relocate
the MEK residents (approx 3400 at last count) after Ramadan
(late September/early October) to Muthanna province. When
asked how the GOI plans to overcome MEK resistance to
relocation and the likelihood of renewed violence, Yassery
stated confidently that the GOI will be better prepared and
ready to isolate and arrest key leaders in order to
decapitate the leadership structure, thereby facilitating
outreach to the rank and file. The GOI is also prepared to
relocate the residents in small groups as needed, "but we
will not force them out of Iraq," Yassery explained.

4. (C) BG Quantock suggested the GOI offer inducements to
secure MEK buy-in for the relocation, including possible
legal status in Iraq. Yassery said the GOI would entertain
an offer of temporary legal status, valid for one year, and
renewable, only after the MEK agree to relocate within Iraq.
Any offer of temporary status would require PM Maliki's
approval, he noted, offering to raise the issue with Maliki
later this week.

5. (C) According to Yassery, UNHCR has informed the GOI that
it will only deal with the residents once they leave Ashraf,
thereby underscoring the need to relocate the residents.
"Moving them will strip them of their identity, thereby
allowing us to deal with them as regular civilians rather
than members of a militant organization," Yassery noted.
However, he warned that if the MEK does not relocate, Iraqi
courts will issue arrest warrants for those residents with
any ties to the 1991 suppression of the Shia uprising in
Iraq. (NOTE: Many Iraqis detest the MEK for its alliance
with Saddam and role in carrying out alleged atrocities
against Shias and Kurds. END NOTE.)

6. (C) Yassery also mentioned that UNHCR has identified five
of the 22 MEK defectors, currently housed in a Baghdad hotel,
Qof the 22 MEK defectors, currently housed in a Baghdad hotel,
as refugees eligible for repatriation. According to Yassery,
the defectors are pleasantly surprised at the good treatment
they are receiving from the GOI and are eager to go to Ashraf
and recruit other defectors, offering to dress in military
disguise and sneak in at night if needed. Yassery said he
did not approve the defectors' plan given inherent security
risks.

7. (C) Regarding the 36 MEK detainees currently being held
in Khalis, Yassery noted that they will face criminal charges
for attacking Iraqi security forces, a crime that carries a
10 year prison sentence. An Iraqi judge has met with the
detainees and an investigation is underway. Yassery
explained that the legal process could take up to six months.

COMMENT
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BAGHDAD 00002251 002 OF 002

8. (C) The GOI is committed to relocating the MEK residents
and confident of weathering the PR maelstrom if violence
flares up after Ramadan. The MEK issue has also become an
election issue, prompting public statements from Shia and
Kurdish groups calling for the groups dismantlement. Iranian
FM Mottaki's public statements calling for the "hypocrites'"
extradition to Iran has also elevated public rhetoric. It
appears unlikely the GOI would extradite the residents,
preferring instead to try them in Iraqi courts for crimes
against the people of Iraq. The MEK continue to live in
denial, hoping that international pressure and sympathy will
allow them to regain their lost footing and sanctuary in
Iraq.

HILL