Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON — The Iranian opposition is preparing to leave its main base
in Iraq in exchange for international guarantees.

The Mujahadeen Khalq said its members were prepared to leave Iraq’s Camp
Ashraf by the end of 2011 if they receive guarantees from the United States
and the United Nations for their safety. Mujahadeen said the more than 3,000
opposition members wanted to move from Ashraf to Camp Liberty, a former U.S.
base.

“There must be minimum guarantees for the residents’ safety and
well-being in order to prevent a recurrence of violence and bloodshed until the residents are resettled in third countries,” Mujahadeen chief Maryam Rajavi said.

In a statement on Dec. 20, Ms. Rajavi warned of another attack on Ashraf by Iraqi security forces. In April, at least 34 camp residents were killed in a raid by troops sent by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki.

“The United Nations has categorically told Camp Ashraf leadership and their representatives outside Iraq that it would not sign anything with the Iraqi government without the agreement of the residents of Ashraf and the Paris leadership,” Mujahadeen spokesman Shahin Gobadi said. “Until this
hour, the minimum assurances have not yet been given. Any relocation from Camp Ashraf to Camp Liberty without agreement on these minimum guarantees
would be tantamount to forcible relocation and internment of the residents
of Ashraf and would thus be unacceptable.”

Baghdad has pledged to close Ashraf by Dec. 31. The United States has
urged Ashraf residents to accept a UN plan to move to a temporary site near
Baghdad airport until they could be resettled abroad. Iran has demanded the
repatriation of the Mujahadeen members.

“The UN’s role here is to facilitate, to help the Iraqi government and
the camp residents,” UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said. “It is very important
to note that ultimately it is the responsibility of the Iraqi authorities to
work to find a peaceful way out of this, and for the residents of the camp
likewise to shoulder their responsibility.”

  Baghdad, Camp Ashraf, Camp Liberty, Iran opposition Mujahadeen Khalq nearing Iraq’s deadline for closing of camp, Martin Nesirky, Maryam Rajavi, Nouri Al Maliki, Paris, Shahin Gobadi