Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
September 28, 2012

The Secretary of State has decided, consistent with the law, to revoke the designation of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) and its aliases as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under the Immigration and Nationality Act and to delist the MEK as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224. These actions are effective today. Property and interests in property in the United States or within the possession or control of U.S. persons will no longer be blocked, and U.S. entities may engage in transactions with the MEK without obtaining a license. These actions will be published in the Federal Register.

With today’s actions, the Department does not overlook or forget the MEK’s past acts of terrorism, including its involvement in the killing of U.S. citizens in Iran in the 1970s and an attack on U.S. soil in 1992. The Department also has serious concerns about the MEK as an organization, particularly with regard to allegations of abuse committed against its own members.

The Secretary’s decision today took into account the MEK’s public renunciation of violence, the absence of confirmed acts of terrorism by the MEK for more than a decade, and their cooperation in the peaceful closure of Camp Ashraf, their historic paramilitary base.

The United States has consistently maintained a humanitarian interest in seeking the safe, secure, and humane resolution of the situation at Camp Ashraf, as well as in supporting the United Nations-led efforts to relocate eligible former Ashraf residents outside of Iraq.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with Vice President of Iraq Khudayr Musa Jafar Abbas al-Khuzai in New York, New York on September 25, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Camp Ashraf
Press Statement
Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
September 16, 2012

Today, the seventh convoy of approximately 680 Camp Ashraf residents arrived safely at Camp Hurriya. This convoy represents the last major relocation of residents from former Camp Ashraf to Camp Hurriya and marks a significant milestone in efforts to achieve a sustainable humanitarian solution to this issue. Over the coming weeks, the small group temporarily remaining at former Camp Ashraf will address residual issues and then also move to Camp Hurriya.

The United States appreciates the efforts of the Government of Iraq to accommodate both security and humanitarian concerns throughout this process, including the peaceful and orderly closure of former Camp Ashraf and relocation of its residents to Camp Hurriya. We count on Iraq’s continued adherence to the December 25, 2011 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Nations that provides a path for the safe relocation of former Ashraf residents out of Iraq.

We welcome the cooperation by the former Ashraf residents in this relocation and look forward to their continued participation in the process set forth in the MOU. Additionally, we are grateful for the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, whose personnel have achieved much under challenging circumstances.

The United States will continue to support those efforts and, working with the United Nations and our partners in the international community, turn our attention to supporting the permanent relocation of the residents from Iraq.

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
September 5, 2012

The United States remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis caused by violence in Syria. Over 100,000 refugees have flooded into neighboring countries in the month of August, stretching host country capacity. We commend the generosity of Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq in assisting approximately 240,000 Syrians who have fled.

About the Author: Kelli R. Davis serves as a Program Officer for SportsUnited in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Recognizing the universality and positive impact of sports, 11 Iraqi taekwondo students and two coaches traveled to Washington to take to the mats and interact with their American counterparts last month. For 10 days, these taekwondo students, not only fine-tuned their discipline and teamwork skills through this martial art — they also got a first-hand glimpse at how taekwondo can bring cultures together.

The group of students exemplified that taekwondo is a tool not only used for self-defense, but also a peaceful way to promote understanding and friendship among competitors. Despite language barriers, the martial arts students communicated through a handful of Korean commands used in traditional taekwondo training worldwide.

As a part of the U.S. Department of State’s Sports Visitor Program, which aims to start a dialogue with students and athletes at… more »

About the Author: Major General Walter D. “Waldo” Givhan, United States Air Force, currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Plans, Programs and Operations in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.

I recently had the privilege of visiting James Madison University to attend the closing ceremony for the 2012 Senior Managers’ Course in Explosive Remnants of War and Mine Action, where I met a select group of individuals serving on the front lines of humanitarian crises and post-conflict environments around the world.

This year, the 17 participants represented 13 different countries, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uganda, and Vietnam. These “Senior Managers” are each leaders in their respective national mine action and ERW programs. This diversity the students bring in terms of background and experience is one of the main reasons… more »

About the Author: Aaron Bruce serves as DipNote’s Editorial Assistant.

This week’s “Photo of the Week” shows Deputy Secretary of State Thomas R. Nides presenting an Expeditionary Diplomacy Award to Foreign Service Officer Barbara Ann Bootes. Bootes and others were honored for their service in Afghanistan and Iraq. In recognition of Bootes and others, Deputy Secretary Nides said, “The work you’ve done in the Frontline States has forever changed the way we tackle new foreign policy challenges.”

Deputy Secretary Nides continued in his remarks, saying, “The Secretary’s vision of civilian power depends on our partners across the… more »

About the Author: Robert S. Ford serves as U.S. Ambassador to Syria.

During my tenure in Syria, my main focus was strengthening the relationship between the American and Syrian people. During this difficult, violent, and dangerous time in Syria’s history, the American people are proud to support your transition to democracy, an ongoing process which we began a mere 236 years ago.

Through the U.S. government, they have also provided over $52 million to humanitarian assistance efforts for Syrian people suffering from the ongoing violence inside Syria and for those who have fled the violence and are now in neighboring countries. I know that this assistance does not meet all the needs for those who are suffering, but we will continue to provide assistance throughout this difficult period to as many Syrians in need as possible.

Here is the breakdown of the humanitarian aid:

- $16.5 million to the World Food Program… more »

About the Author: Anne C. Richard serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration.

As the newly confirmed Assistant Secretary responsible for refugee programs and policy, I made my first overseas trip to Iraq to see our programs first-hand. Sitting in a small room off a dusty Baghdad street, I met the gaze of several women, all dressed head-to-toe in black. Despite their plain dress, their eyes were lively and alert. Two small children darted in and out, staying close to their mother. The grandmother was across the room. As we made introductions, I learned that the women were nearly all widows. Several husbands and adult sons had died during the violent period that erupted in Iraq after the Samarra Mosque bombing of 2006.

Since 2003, the U.S. government has been committed to helping Iraqis who are displaced within their own country — people we refer to as IDPs or “internally displaced persons.” Under international guidelines, the Government of Iraq… more »

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 30, 2012

Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) Anne C. Richard will travel to Switzerland, Iraq, and Jordan from May 1 – 10, 2012.

In Geneva, Assistant Secretary Richard will lead the U.S. delegation at the International Conference on the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees to support voluntary repatriation, sustainable reintegration and assistance to host countries. Through a unique quadripartite consultative process, the Islamic Republics of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan and UNHCR have agreed on a multi-year regional strategy to address assistance to Afghan refugees and returnees, including nearly three million Afghan refugees who continue to be generously hosted by Pakistan and Iran and those Afghan refugees who choose to voluntarily return to Afghanistan. Assistant Secretary Richard will also meet with officials of various international humanitarian organizations to discuss relevant humanitarian issues.

In Iraq, Assistant Secretary Richard will meet with Iraqi officials and representatives from international organizations and non-governmental organizations responsible for assisting internally displaced Iraqis and Iraqi returnees.

In Jordan, Assistant Secretary Richard will meet with Government of Jordan, international and non-governmental officials to discuss policy and program issues regarding displaced Syrians in Jordan, and Iraqi and Palestinian refugees. She will also preside over the ground-breaking for a new school for Palestinian refugees.

For more information, please contact Deborah Sisbarro at 202-453-9339, or PRM-Press-DL@state.gov.