Al Hurra TV, 1 Oct, 2012 – What raises optimism in Iran is the US decision to remove the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) from the list of terrorist organizations, a step that Maryam Rajavi, the organization’s leader, welcomed in our ‘special program today’, which will be broadcasted in a couple of minutes. But before that, we will take a quick look at the PMOI and its role.
Report: From the US perspective, the PMOI is not a terrorist organization anymore. The State Department removed the name of this organization from the terrorist organizations list, which is a major transition in the US tone of language towards the Islamic regime in Tehran. Many believe that Washington’s decision, due to the extreme level of political, diplomatic and advertising activities by the PMOI leadership in European countries and the US, was foreseeable. Especially since after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the organization’s activists did not stop because they emphasized that their goal was to establish a democratic state in Iran that is based on separation of church and state and respect for human rights. They were able to gain the trust of many political dignitaries around the world and convince them that their movement has renounced violence and terrorism, rejecting the Iranian regime’s ambitions of acquiring a nuclear weapon. One of these dignitaries was Tom Ridge, one of the most renowned Republican politicians in the US, who had previously stated in his speeches in Paris that the PMOI should be supported.
Tom Ridge: The terrorist organization that the US must be aware of is the Iranian regime not the PMOI, when you’re reminded of Iran, you’re reminded of Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and you think about the fact that Iran is in pursuit of becoming a nuclear power, yet the PMOI is not so because it tends to lead an a completely different Iran, a peaceful and understanding Iran.
Anchorman: By deciding to remove the PMOI from the list of terrorist organizations, the Obama Administration has resolutely turned doubts into certainty. Some thought that the US would listen to Iran in re-designating the PMOI in the terrorist list, yet this all ended today and it is expected that in the future this movement, which was considered a leftist, enter a new phase of its struggle and opposition to the Islamic regime. This issue coincides with the 2013 Presidential election in Iran that will be the end of President Ahmadinejad’s second term, who’s victory in the previous election raised many doubts and caused many demonstrations and uprisings, an event that came years prior to the Arab Spring.
Movement leader Maryam Rajavi, who is based in Paris, doesn’t hide her joy over the terrorist designation removal from her organization. This is while all eyes are on Iraq, where thousands of PMOI members and their families, after departing the famous Camp Ashraf, are now at Camp (Liberty). This was the place they fled to after Khomeini came to power in the late 70’s and persecuted them. What is obvious is that the current Iraqi Government does not hide its enmity towards the PMOI and accuses them of taking part in the suppression of the Shabaniya uprising in 1991 alongside Saddam Hussein.
However, conditions and their stance might have changed, especially after the US decision regarding the PMOI and also growing nuclear and security threats that exist in the Middle East.
Reporter: Now, any outcome resulting from the step to remove the PMOI from the lists of terrorist organizations, Iranian affairs analysts however believe it will increase the legitimacy of resistance against a regime that is emphasized has lost much of its own legitimacy.
Anchorman: Rajavi says this decision is a victory for justice and the law, and Tehran’s biggest defeat vis-à-vis the Iranian people. Let’s listen to a special interview conducted by our friend Kamal al-Alwani.
Maryam Rajavi: “I congratulate the US Secretary of State Clinton for this correct and just decision, although it comes with delay. I think a brighter future is ahead of us because this is a great victory for justice and the law against demonizing and tarnishing measures.
Now we can focus our energy and capabilities against the mullahs’ regime to overthrow it and establish a government based on freedom and democracy for Iran’s future, and this is necessary. Unfortunately, to this day the policy followed towards the mullahs’ regime has encouraged the mullahs’ to remain in power and this regime is not just a threat for the Iranian people, in fact it is a threat for the entire world, especially nations of the Middle East. If we take a look at the situation in Syria and other countries, we will come to realize that the Iranian resistance has set aside the biggest obstacle placed in its path because of the decision to designate this organization.
“Now, our energies will be focused on Iran’s future, a future based on separation of church and state and founded on humane values, freedom, democracy, equality for men and women, and also peace for all countries of the Middle East and across the world.
“I believe the Arab Spring made clear the necessity of overthrowing the mullahs’ regime and its leader in Iran, and also the toppling of the regime ruling Iran by the Iranian people and their organized resistance. I believe our movement as the National Council of Resistance of Iran, consisting of a coalition from all perspectives and various political trends that seek to overthrow the mullahs, is a guarantee for the right of the people’s vote, and separation of church and state, and we can succeed in this regard.”