The state department needs to stop repeating Iranian propaganda and lies about the organisation being a cult, and listen to the foreign/Western cult experts who have studied the MEK and come to the conclusion that it is not a cult! I will also object to the statement that "[Camp Ashraf] is a state within a state. It is run by the MEK and when anybody else tries to enter, well, we've seen what occurs," one State Department official said. That implies the MEK have done something wrong, rather than highlighting the reality that when people want to enter peacefully e.g. members of European parliament or guests etc there have never been problems, but rather, fantastic experiences. But when ATTACKED, we have seen the residents murdered. So yes, when Iraqi forces enter by force and attack, we have seen violence and killings by Iraqis and innocent + defenceless, peaceful men and women being killed (footage from the attacks shows how unilateral violence has been in the attacks on the camp).
Nevertheless let's hope there is some more good news and that the US works with the UN to prevent another massacre of residents in the camp.

If you want to know the facts about the MEK visit:

http://delistmek.com

If you are looking for propaganda originated by the Iranian intelligent service, this article has done good job on recycling misinformation on the main Iranian opposition.

Alright, I'll bite. Specifically what parts of this can be found offensive? This quotes what government officials and the branches of the government have said. Apparently that's now enough to label it all 'misinformation'.

The propaganda, including from this magazine, is pervasive but also risible. The MEK is a violent terrorist threat (as any independent analyst will tell you), and has attacked Sunnis, Kurds, and Americans. Many deaths.

The current effort to legitimize the terrorist group is coming from the CIA, which is secretly funding the MEK in a terrorist campaign against Tehren, probably including the assassination of scientists and counter-intelligence.

The Iraqi president is a Shi'ite who will not allow this armed group to exist as a non-governmental violent force within Iraq's borders. No one can honestly fault him for this. The UN has brokered a deal and the State Dept needs to screw off.

Don't trust any of these comments (except mine :), because the CIA or their lobbyist/front companies is clearly employing sock puppets to promote their PR.

There is no doubt that the July 2009 and April 2011 massacres in Camp Ashraf, home to 3400 members of the opposition People's Mojahedin Organization (PMOI/MEK) in Iraq, were ordered by none other than Nouri al-Maliki the Iraqi Prime Minister. Iraqi officials and military commanders have consistently stated that such was the case. As a result, al-Maliki has been summoned to appear before the Spanish National Court to answer the charge of "Crimes against humanity".

Anyone who witnessed those bloody attacks was shocked to hear President Obama welcoming al-Maliki to the White House, on Monday last (12 December) and could well question why such a man was invited.

Al-Maliki, who owes his post to the support of the Iranian regime, has openly signed a bilateral government agreement obligating himself to close the camp by the end of 2011 thereafter relocating the residents throughout Iraq, thus dispersing the opposition away from watchful eyes of the rest of the world. By using 'sovereignty' as an excuse, Iraq feels it has the right to implement this plan.

However, 'Iraqi sovereignty' is only a pretext to carry out the will of the Iranian regime by annihilating the members of the best known Iranian opposition whose only objective is to remove the mullah's regime in Tehran by democratic means and replace it with an elected secular administration committed to democracy and freedom.

Since the beginning of 2009, when responsibility for the security of Ashraf was handed by the Americans to Iraq, Al-Maliki's government has been carrying out an organized government-led campaign against Camp Ashraf under the pretext of sovereignty. The Iraqi government continuously attempts to cover up and justify its repetitive violence against Ashraf residents - including the two abovementioned massacres - on the grounds of sovereignty.

Are the 300 loudspeakers installed around Ashraf by the mullahs' Ministry of Intelligence for the purposes of psychological torture, designed to enhance Iraqi Sovereignty. Are the surveillance towers and satellite signal jamming devices branded with the Revolutionary Guards logo a sign of Iraqi sovereignty? The daily needs of the residents inside the camp are now in the hands of Iran's security agents. The residents have been denied proper medical treatment for two years, leading to the deaths of 10 patients to date. The Iraqi government has literally enforced prison regulations on Ashraf and its residents. Does this inhumane treatment enhance Iraqi Sovereignty or Iran's ambitions. The answer, to my mind, is clear.

Let me now turn to President Obama. Welcoming Al-Maliki to the White House was a deplorable error which could pave the way for yet another atrocity for Ashraf residents. Al- Maliki should have been told that the international community would no longer tolerate the Iraqi Government acting as the Iranian regime's puppet and executing the orders of Tehran's mullahs in Baghdad. And President Obama should have made it clear that he did just that. But his record on the issue doesn't give grounds for confidence.

The US government has a responsibility to protect Ashraf residents not least because the current crisis in Ashraf is the immediate result of the coalition invasion of Iraq. The US signed an agreement with every single Ashraf resident in 2004 to provide them protection. However, in defiance of international laws, it handed Ashraf's protection over to a government whose proven enmity against Ashraf residents is now clear. The US also has a moral and humanitarian responsibility to do all it can to prevent another massacre. If the US fails to rise to its legal and moral responsibilities it would simply be playing into the mullahs hands. Al Maliki's first visit to Washington places responsibility for future Iraqi actions firmly in the hands of the US Government. If the US Government fails the people of Ashraf in this respect the President will be the one who must answer to the court of public opinion for that failure.

The M.E.K. was put on the list as part of a “deal,” a precondition demanded by Iran in order for the U.S. to maintain unofficial but open channels of diplomacy with the mullahs.

Both the UK and the European Union have dropped the terrorist label for the M. E. K.
Recently, a U.S. Court of Appeals heard all the evidence presented by the State Department for the terrorist designation and rejected that determination. The court said, in effect, unless you have better evidence, there is no basis for the continued listing of the M. E. K. as a terrorist group. Thus far, the State Department has ignored the court’s admonition.

There are a number of inacuracies in this article and the writer should do a little more research before beginning his work.

Watch his speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yecp8YyF18Y&list=UU17JMuxcmRzJ-JQoER1pC6Q&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T1TnKf_cUw&feature=related

I encourage you to watch and then Judge

It was about ten years ago that I first learned of the existence of the MEK. Little did I know then that in a very short time I would be personally involved with this group and its fight for survival. With a looming deadline coming on December 31, my fond memories of these Iranians might turn out be just that… memories. But this could be averted.

I know first-hand what it means to suffer at the hands of terrorists – I was the director of security for the Army at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Shortly thereafter, I deployed as the senior military policeman responsible for many missions in Iraq, including the safety and security of the residents of Camp Ashraf.

I was there when they voluntarily disarmed in return for U.S. promises of protection. I saw what remained of their other facilities after they were looted and destroyed by Maliki’s forces. I was there when each and every person of the MEK was biometrically identified, vetted, screened, and interviewed by the U.S. military. Did we find any terrorists or criminals or undesirables among the several thousand men and women? No. Each was thoroughly investigated and not one was identified as having any linkage to criminal acts. A few had unpaid parking tickets. That might seem frivolous, but I mention it to show how thoroughly we investigated each member of the MEK at Camp Ashraf.

I really had to step back and wonder why they are identified as terrorists by the State Department. I tried very hard but I could not find any credible allegation, any overt or covert crime, any reason why this group carried the FTO designation that Maliki and the Mullahs cite as a rationale for their atrocities.
I witnessed firsthand equal rights in action at Camp Ashraf. I spent significant time living and working at Camp Ashraf. I got to know almost every senior leader of the MEK at Ashraf, and many of the residents. After the vetting process was completed I brought the message back to the leadership of Ashraf that they were now classified as protected persons under the Geneva Convention and I was personally charged with their safety and security. And, even though I’m no longer directly responsible for safety and security at Camp Ashraf, I still feel morally responsible, as all of Americans who take pride in our country and our word should be.

I had open and unrestricted access to every area of Camp Ashraf. I staged independent, unannounced inspections and never, discovered any indication of anyone being kept there against his or her will by the Camp’s leadership, as some detractors mistakenly allege. And I really tried to uncover proof of those allegations. But the only thing I was ever able to prove without a doubt was that the allegations were false. Were there any issues between my units, my forces, and the MEK at Ashraf? Of course! But they were few and far between, and all were resolved by simple discussions and mutual understanding.

I spent well over a year seeking definitive guidance regarding a way to resolve the humanitarian crisis at Camp Ashraf. I brought many senior leaders of the coalition forces to Ashraf. They were all stunned that we were keeping these defenseless men, women and children in such limbo. I left Iraq frustrated after that tour, and a year later when I returned, I saw that there had been no change. There was still no definitive guidance. During that tour I was charged with rapidly rebuilding the Iraqi police, and simultaneously I was General Petraeus’s expert on all police and security operations, including security at Camp Ashraf.

We gave the people at Camp Ashraf a promise of protection following a very thorough vetting process—and I know this for a fact because I delivered that promise. I feel so strongly about it that even now, I would return to Ashraf to be an intermediary to ensure the safe relocation of the residents.
I fear that unless we have some type of intermediary, some type of initiative very soon, some due resolve, given the December 31 deadline imposed on Ashraf by the government of Iraq at behest of Tehran, another tragedy will occur. We’ve seen members of this organization viciously attacked in the recent past and dozens of them, young and old killed and about 1,000 wounded by the Iraqi armed forces. In a few weeks, if the deadline to close Camp Ashraf is not postponed, we could see an even greater tragedy.

A cry must be sounded loud and clear—the very same cry that was sounded by thousands of Iranian Americans who stood outside the White House on December 12 as the President was meeting with Maliki, that we will not stand for violence against the defenseless people of Camp Ashraf. Maliki’s arbitrary and illegal deadline must be postponed, his plans for forcible dispersion of Ashraf residents in Iraq shelved, and the U.N. refugee agency encouraged to find the residents sanctuary in third countries.
Evil thrives in darkness, so let’s shed some light on Camp Ashraf: I tried to find a terrorist at Camp Ashraf and I could not. I tried to find people held against their will at Camp Ashraf. I could not. All I found there were people committed to non-violence and a free and democratic Iranian future.

I only hope the world is listening. The time to act is now. This is more than a local issue: the people of "Camp Ashraf," have relatives in the United States and Europe who care deeply about their fate.
As we exit from Iraq, the Obama White House should take care not to undercut the West’s fight against Iranian nuclear breakout by giving Iraq’s Shia prime minister the impression that the U.S. is a paper tiger that will easily abandon its solemn promises to Ashraf residents by sending them to face certain death in the Iraqi desert.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/12/13/as-withdraw-from-iraq-must-still-keep-our-promise-to-residents-camp-ashraf/#ixzz1hJU4n7pw

You could not do a better job for the Mullahs in Iran. At least you could say little from the other side too. I believe this is a great Christmas gift for the Mullahs. But I tell you, Freedom lovers in Iran and actually in the other countries, are behind Great people of Ashraf.

This is an utterly one-sided article repeating baseless accusations against MEK and Camp Ashraf residents. Among them the claim that they are armed. Mr. Rogin knows very well that they were disarmed by the US forces in 2003 and several visits by US and Iraqis afterwards found no arms in the Camp. Please report the facts and don't prepare the ground for more bloodshed by disseminating lies.

Mr. rogin is repeating all the misinformations that mullah's regime in Tehran created for last 30 years.
At least he could contact MEK organization or one of their supporters or one of many many high ranking officials from 3 different administrations or many many members of US Congress or more than 4000 parliamentarians from all over the world who are supporting MEK and Ashraf to get their side of the story!
I hope he is not suggesting that MEK bought all this support with money!
Mr. rogin and his friends at the State Department are out of touch with realities in Iran or simply still begging mullah's in Iran to change their behaviors by keeping the unjust label on MEK.
Iranian people will change the regime in Iran sooner or later and history will judge you.
US administration is responsible for well being of Ashraf residents by signing an agreement with every one of them.

CNGS:

Frankly Josh, this is the biggest load of odorous excrement I have seen a so-called writer or journalist, or whatever the hell you call yourself, to have concocted. What is the matter with you people? Constantly castigating and mixing lots of falsehoods and few facts that only serve your purpose and that of your paymasters, the Savages of Tehran, and their accomplices, the State Department functionaries, such as Lawrence Butler, Clinton and the rest.

This group of intrepid liberators of the devastated people of Iran from the clutches of one the most soul-destroying religious fascisms history has recorded in contemporary times, has done nothing but to sacrifice blood and treasure to save the pride, reputation and honor of their country in the world stage and amongst the civilized people of the world.

And then come to the field of battle vipers like you and your kind and those who are intent to maintain the hegemony of a gang of thugs so that the vast resources of the bereaved people of Iran are up for grabs. But you can rest assured that this generation will neutralize all your demonic designs and machinations, for there is not much more that they can lose, except their honor and that, if you are waiting for it to happen, I promise you that you and your cohorts will take to the grave.

Get your act together and study the lessons of history. The men, women and children of Ashraf are no different, and perhaps more courageous than the Founding Fathers of this country who stood up against the tyranny of British Imperialism.

Have you ever had a neighbor with a dog that constantly barks? Have you ever had your power down as a result of a storm or other natural phenomenon of nature? Have you ever had a child that needs medicine and/ surgery and you have been denied access to?

Well, Einstein, let me tell you what the dictator of Baghdad based on a compact with the Head Savage of Tehran, Akhond Ali Khamenei who promised him the post of Prime Minister, has been doing to these unarmed (despite your stupid assertion that they are well-armed; listen to General Phillips, who conducted unannounced inspections many times while he was the Senior Commander charged with protection of Ashraf) innocent and "Protected Persons" of the residents of Camp.

They have massacred 47 residents in two infamous occasions of July 2009 and April 2011 and wounded more than a thousand people; all with the knowledge of the US that promised each and every one of them protection. , and has installed 300 blasting loudspeakers that cast profanity and aspersion against the residents round the clock.

Maliki has ordered the interdiction of medicine and specialized medical help for the wounded and the sick and their transfer to more equipped hospitals in Baghdad. He has stooped fuel trucks to enter the camp in this season of cold weather and has prevented US and EU delegations to enter the camp and investigate the Crime against Humanity he has committed. And he has not allowed the UNHCR to register the residents as bona fide refugees, as declared by the High Commissioner for the Refugees, Antonio Guterres.

There are so much more odious material you have included in your yellow sheet, such as, the Islamic Marxist label, that was invented by the Shah's secret police at the time of a bipolar world, that is so ridiculous, making one laugh at your lack of knowledge of what kind of world we live in today; which I shall not dignify with a response.

But I do have one suggestion for you. If you really care about your reputation and that of the magazine you write for do your due diligence and write a piece that reflects realities, if not some degree of sympathy for a group children, women and men who have endured years of deprivation, psychological torture and massacres. May be, then history would judge you less harshly.

CNGS

Josh, you may know you have become a speaker for Iranian terrorist Mullahs. MEK is the only hope for freedom and democracy in Iran, that is the reason the mullahs desperately wants to eliminate them! Wake up and search the truth for yourself as a journalist. You should Side with Iranian and American people against this common enemy ruling Iran.