2008-04-30 23:52:08 -
- Iran Policy Committee Prof. Raymond Tanter, 202-249-1142 Cell: 202-320-8434 rtanter@iranpolicy.org On 30 April 2008, the U.S. Department of State released the 2007 edition of Country Reports on Terrorism, which reports descriptions of State Sponsors of Terrorism and groups listed as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Country Reports rightly identifies the Iranian regime as the "most active state sponsor of
terrorism," which is consistent with evidence of terrorist capability and intent: The regime ships to Iraq "rockets, sniper rifles, automatic weapons, mortars that have killed thousands of Coalition and Iraqi Forces...and improvised explosive devices (IEDs)...specially designed to defeat armored vehicles." However, Country Reports is inconsistent in its application of principles of capability and intent in listing the Mujahedeen-e Khalq as a foreign terrorist organization. State presents no evidence of capability and intent for designating this main Iranian opposition group.
On 25 April 2008, Dr. Patrick Clawson, deputy director of research at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, wrote that designation "should be based only on terrorism issues" and that State "cited no alleged MEK terrorist activity since 2001, yet have increased allegations pertaining (to) the group's non-terrorist activities." Country Reports 2007 continues this trend of making allegations that are irrelevant to terrorist designation.
Country Reports 2006 had alleged terrorist intent and capability: "MEK leadership and members across the world maintain the capacity and will to commit terrorist acts in Europe, the Middle East, the United State (sic), Canada, and beyond." Such allegations are completely omitted in Country Reports 2007, leaving no basis for designation of the MEK as a foreign terrorist organization.
Indeed, a November 2007 decision by the Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission (POAC), a UK Court, found that -0- There is no evidence that the (MEK) has at any time since 2003 sought to re-create any form of structure that was capable of carrying out or supporting terrorist acts. There is no evidence of any attempt to "prepare" for terrorism. There is no evidence of any encouragement to others to commit acts of terrorism...continued proscription could not be lawfully justified.
IPC President Professor Raymond Tanter, former National Security Council staff at the White House, concluded, "In light of a UK Court ruling to delist the MEK in the UK and the absence of evidence for terrorist capability and intent in Country Reports, the Secretary of State should delist the MEK when the organization's designation comes up for mandatory review in October 2008. To do otherwise would be inconsistent with the principle that designation should be dependent upon evidence of capability and intent."
Tehran and the Iranian Opposition
