Wednesday, February 04, 2009

In an interview with the Iraqi News Agency, Dr. Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Vice President of the European Parliament, said: “After the decision of the EU council of Ministers and removal of the PMOI from the Terrorist list, the Iraqi government should realize this message and adopt a behavior regarding the PMOI in compliance with this decision; forcing the PMOI to leave Ashraf is not permissive and the Iraqi government must guarantee protection of Ashraf residents and establish good relations with them.”

The EU Vice-President added: “The Iraqi government knows well that the PMOI is not a terrorist organization; they are peace-seeking persons who cooperate with Iraqi people and Iraqis support the PMOI and respect them”.

Dr. Vidal-Quadras added: “I have personally visited Ashraf and personally met Iraqi local leaders and tribal leaders; they told me in person that they wanted Ashraf and its residents to stay in Iraq and in their present location and to be protected and safe; this is what the Iraqi government must do; they should provide protections and security of Ashraf residents because the Ashraf residents are “protected persons” under the Geneva Convention.”