InfoAnda - Bloodshed at Iranian camp tests US-Iraq transition

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

U.N. atomic watchdog in new bid to unblock Iran probe | | 22 August 2012
Report: 20 mln N. Koreans rely on market economy | 8 February 2011
Quartet urges Israel to freeze settlement activity | 19 March 2010

"Extract" distilled from human stupidity | 26 August 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Bloodshed at Iranian camp tests US-Iraq transition

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Bloodshed at Iranian camp tests US-Iraq transition By KIM GAMEL,Associated Press Writer AP - Thursday, September 3 BAGHDAD - The women formed a human chain while the men chanted, confronting Iraqi troops moving into their compound. Gunfire rang out, and the soldiers waded in with batons, wooden bats and automatic weapons. ADVERTISEMENT By the end, officials said, 11 Iranian exiles were dead _ shot, beaten or run over by military vehicles. Throughout the confrontation, American soldiers who once protected the Iranian opposition group stood by. According to U.S officials, they had no legal authority to intervene. One video taken by the exiles even shows soldiers get into a white SUV and roll up their windows as the bloodied men plead for help. The deadly melee at Camp Ashraf, the base of the People's Mujahedeen Organization of Iran, provides a glaring example of what can go wrong as the U.S. military scales back and the Shiite-led Iraqi government flexes its muscles. The U.S. military guarded the camp since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 under an agreement that made its 3,400 residents "protected persons" under the Geneva Conventions. The military stopped observing the agreement after a new security accord with the Baghdad government took effect in January, U.S. Embassy spokesman Philip Frayne said. Responsibility for the camp then passed to the Iraqi government, which promised not to use force against the group. A small contingent of U.S. military police still monitors the camp, but the military said they were under orders not to intervene in the July 28 confrontation. "We could not become decisively engaged with a situation that really is up to the sovereign Iraqi government to settle in a peaceful manner as they have assured us that they would do," a senior U.S. military official said Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. "Even in a situation that allowed engagement, we didn't have nearly the amount of forces present to jump in the middle of this fray," he said. Iraqi officials said they were trying to establish a police station at the camp. And there are numerous other issues on which the Iraqi government could go its own way _ like the fate of anti-al-Qaida Sunni militias, which are strongly supported by the U.S. but now seem to get less backing from Iraq's Shiite leaders, or the multiple disputes between Baghdad and the Kurdish north, which the U.S. has sought to mollify lest they explode into violence. "These kinds of things are only going to happen more often and in other places, and the U.S. has to decide what are we going to do about it," said Army Reserve Col. Gary Morsch, who was stationed at Camp Ashraf and maintains close ties with the exiles there. The bloodshed brought rare criticism by Washington of the U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces. But U.S. officials tried to balance it with the larger policy goal of handing over greater responsibility to the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki while U.S. forces reduce their presence. "Iraq was trying to extend its sovereignty to Camp Ashraf. We understood what they were trying to do. They did not do it well," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters in Washington two weeks after the raid. Camp Ashraf and the presence of the Iranian exile group have long been a source of friction between Washington and Baghdad. For years, Iraq's Shiite-led government has wanted to remove the group, because of its past ties to Saddam. Iran, a close Shiite ally of Baghdad, has also been pressing for the expulsion of the group, which seeks the overthrow of Tehran's clerical rulers. The Iraqi treatment of the exiles could also be an indicator that Iran's influence in Baghdad is growing as Washington's wanes, though Iraqi officials staunchly deny the raid was at Tehran's behest. "If you want to know how independent the government of Iraq is from the Islamic Republic of Iran, watch what happens to the people of Ashraf," said Raymond Tanter, president of the Washington-based Iran Policy Group and a member of the National Security Council in the Reagan administration. Baghdad "wanted to establish its independence from the United States and possibly was motivated to show that independence by cracking down on Ashraf," he said, pointing out the raid coincided with a Baghdad visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The People's Mujahedeen is deeply controversial. Critics call it a cult with an ideology mixing Marxism, secularism, an obsession with martyrdom and near adoration of its leaders. The U.S. considers it a terrorist organization, albeit one that has provided the Americans with intelligence on Iran. The European Union removed it from its terror list this year. The group _ also known by its Farsi name the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq _ is the militant wing of the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran. It carried out a series of bloody bombings and assassinations in Iran in the 1980s, though it says it renounced violence in 2001. The MEK fought alongside Saddam's forces during the 1980s Iran-Iraq war, and Saddam set up a number of bases for them _ including Camp Ashraf, their last remaining foothold in Iraq, located in a barren desert stretch north of Baghdad, 50 miles from the Iranian border. After Saddam fell, U.S. troops took control of Camp Ashraf and disarmed its fighters, confining them to the 30-square-mile compound. In return, the military signed the agreement with the camp's residents giving them protected status. The exiles transformed Camp Ashraf into an oasis of well-kept gardens, water fountains and palm trees along marked-out streets, where the residents _ including 900 women _ live in barracks-like housing segregated by sex. Morsch, 58, of Bucyrus, Kan., recalls how American soldiers guarding the camp got to know the residents well, sharing meals and inviting each other to celebrations. The government has barred media visits to the camp since the raid. The Iraqi government says it was exerting its right to establish a police station in Camp Ashraf and blames the violence on the resistance by Iranian exiles. Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told the AP on Monday that the forces entering to set up the station were met by "demonstrations with people wielding sticks, swords and knives." The U.S. military sent a medical team into the camp two days after the raid and 19 people were transported to an American hospital with serious injuries. Iraqi forces also detained 36 men accused of violently resisting the raid, prompting a hunger strike by some camp residents demanding their release. The fate of Camp Ashraf's residents remains up in the air. The Iraqi government has forwarded several proposals, including sending them to third countries other than Iran, where they would face possible execution. "The world has to help us find a place for them," al-Dabbagh said, reiterating the promise to treat them humanely and not to forcibly expel them. "We cannot accept the presence of such an organization inside Iraq." The People's Mujahedeen insists that the protected status agreement has not expired because of a clause saying it is valid until the situation is resolved. The group has called on the Americans to reassert control over the camp until another arrangement could be made, such as the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers. "Apart from this legal argument ... the point is that people have been killed by the Iraqis," said Behzad Saffari, a legal adviser at Camp Ashraf. "They have broken their promise to the Americans, so naturally they are not trustworthy to continue with this situation." ____ Associated Press Writer Qassim Abdul-Zahra contributed to this report. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: World French filmmaker Poveda killed in El SalvadorReuters - Thursday, September 3 Devastating suicide strikes show Taliban expansionAFP - Thursday, September 3 Kennedy memoir reveals remorse over ChappaquiddickAP - Thursday, September 3 NASA tracks space junk headed toward space stationReuters - Thursday, September 3 British finance minister's recession warningAFP - Thursday, September 3 Most Popular – World Viewed Kidnapped US girl walks into police station 18 years on Madoff's beachfront hideaway up for sale -- but it's no steal Microsoft apologizes for photo gaffe BP unveils 'giant' oil discovery in Gulf of Mexico Spider-Man joins Mickey Mouse as Disney buys Marvel View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Thursday, 3 September 2009
4 Iraqi security personnel to hang for bank heist
First baby born from new egg-screening technique
Google blames Gmail outage on server maintenance
Iranian commander: ex-president challenged state
BP unveils 'giant' oil discovery in Gulf of Mexico
Iran MP warns against commander as interior minister
Israel, Palestinians hold high-level economic talks
Computer algorithm to decipher ancient texts
Four sentenced to die for deadly Iraq bank robbery
Sony to launch 3D TVs next year: report
Guinea bans political debates on radio, TV | International |
Suicide attack kills 22 in Afghanistan: governor
Greek PM calls snap election, blames economic crisis | International |
U.S. voices grave concern about Sri Lanka video | International |
Countries do little to help landmine victims: report | International |
Sony to launch 3D TVs next year: report
Key U.S. broadband official: More spectrum needed | Technology |
German bright spot for electronic devices spending | Technology |
News
News
Amazon joins opposition to Google book deal | Technology |
Strong Indonesia quake kills 35, damages 1,300 homes
New US ambassador: global issues test China ties
Cate Blanchett injured during performance
Thailand's swine flu death toll rises to 119
Spy chief among 23 killed in Taliban suicide blast
Indian official's helicopter missing in rebel area
Qantas jet diverted again after midair mishap
Taiwan court convicts former first lady of perjury
Ford, Streep bring Hollywood to Deauville
World Bank chief says China stimulus should continue
News
Pakistani 10-year PIB cut-off yield at 12.50 pct
World Bank presses G-20 aid to poorest countries
Rolling Stones official denies Watts quit the band | Entertainment |
Pakistan signs $230 mln road deal with ADB
Former British PM Tony Blair headed to Late Show | Entertainment |
Daewoo puts Myanmar gas fields investment at $3 bln
Archaeologists find early Jerusalem fortifications
Diane Sawyer to replace Gibson as ABC News anchor | Entertainment |
Men far outnumber women in Qatar: census
Philippines unlikely to climb World Bank survey
Polish Catholic group wants IVF outlawed
Pakistani stocks end higher; rupee firms
Colbie Caillat, Miley Cyrus lead album chart | Entertainment |
Tornatore's 'Baaria' premieres at Venice film fest
Jon Gosselin: 'I took a lot of abuse' from Kate
China shares rise on higher manufacturing data
Indonesia quake 'leaves 33 dead'
Ford, Streep bring Hollywood to Deauville
Well-known Gypsy praises Madonna's defense of Roma
Powerful Indonesian quake kills 11; dozens injured
Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops director, dies at 74
Strong earthquake strikes Indonesia's main island
Devastating suicide strikes show Taliban expansion
Twitter snags former Google exec for COO
Indonesia quake death toll at 46, likely to rise | International |
EU countries push for bank pay crackdown
Albania to Zimbabwe: the climate change risk list
Viewers hunger for Web and TV at same time: study
Bloodshed at Iranian camp tests US-Iraq transition
Japan's Hatoyama to meet U.S. envoy | International |
Swine flu vaccine to cost up to 20 dollars per dose: WHO
Hitmen kill 17 in Mexico clinic on U.S. border | International |
YouTube talks to studios on movie rentals: source
Suicide attack kills Afghan intelligence deputy: officials
World powers urge Iran to enter nuclear talks
New iPhone application tracks disease outbreaks
Iran would not discuss nuclear work with powers: TV | International |
Karzai inches closer to prospect of Afghan win
Sculptor plugs Greek classics into iPod Age
News Corp. seeks stake in Saudi media company: WSJ
British e-reader company in partnership with Google Books
Dalai Lama says ready to negotiate with China | International |
Nokia unveils new smartphones to rival iPhone
Iran opposition says 72 died in post-poll unrest | International |
Key U.S. broadband official: More spectrum needed
Tension mounts as Gabon awaits poll outcome | International |
French filmmaker Poveda killed in El Salvador | International |
Nokia unveils new smartphones to rival iPhone
Hurricane Jimena batters western Mexico | International |
U.S., Australia to ask China to exercises: report | International |
YouTube may stream movie rentals | Technology |
US Mormon missionaries expelled from Guyana
Viewers hunger for Web and TV at same time: study | Technology |
Feds didn't clear brush in wildfire area
LG to unveil new Windows smartphones | Technology |
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 738
US diplomats say US-Japan alliance to stay strong
Japan's next first lady anything but bland
Firefighters make gains on Calif. fire
Google outage setback for business email pitch | Technology |
China to approve single-dose swine flu vaccines
New Zealand stun Sri Lanka in T20 match
Sex, scandal, yawn: Madoff books are a bust
Twitter snags former Google exec for COO | Technology |
Dozens trapped as Indonesia quake toll rises to 46
Obama envoy to resume talks in Mideast next week
Tokyo still confident after IOC evaluation
Schwarzenegger demands response to water crisis
SEC flubbed Madoff probe: watchdog
After 1 year, Pakistani president's ratings slide
FAA will modify airspace rules over Hudson River
Indonesia quake death toll at 46, likely to rise
Sexual misconduct at embassy alleged
Hong Kong's top judge to retire next year
Korea Hot Stocks
Seoul shares slip as autos decline; banks advance
S.Korean bonds rise on U.S. lead, weak shares
South Korea Q2 growth revised up, outlook frail
Seoul shares open higher as techs advance
SKorea economy grew faster than expected in Q2
China grants $600 mln to Cuba during solidarity visit
Uniqlo to open biggest store yet in Shanghai
GM China says 2009 sales expected to rise 40 pct
Whitney Houston comeback album headed to No. 1 | Entertainment |
Madonna world tour breaks her own record | Entertainment |
Indonesian quake leaves 44 dead, dozens missing
Cate Blanchett injured onstage in Streetcar | Entertainment |
Strong Indonesian quake kills 33; flattens houses
Kenny Chesney gives fans something to cheer about | Entertainment |
Circus billionaire plans show from space | Entertainment |
Friends, family gather to remember missing poet
Whitney Houston comeback album headed to No. 1
Kenny Chesney gives fans "something to cheer about"
Cate Blanchett injured on stage but the show will go on
Madonna world tour breaks her own record
Cate Blanchett gets a head wound on stage
YouTube in talks with studios about movie rentals: WSJ
Biographical details on Diane Sawyer
Sex, scandal, yawn: Madoff books are a bust
Oprah Winfrey to dedicate show to Michael Jackson
Ahmadinejad says Iran ready for more sanctions
Russia launches new search for journalist killer
LG Elec to unveil new Windows mobile phones
Final farewell as Michael Jackson laid to rest
US sees first signs of growth: Geithner
British finance minister's recession warning
Protesters demand Xinjiang leader step down | International |
Iran MPs start vote on Ahmadinejad cabinet
Iran opposition says 72 died in post-poll unrest
Pfizer agrees to record drug dispute settlement
When it comes to hurricanes, what's in a name?
Brussels rejects Berlusconi criticism in immigration row
Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns | International |
Iran dismisses sanctions talk, to present proposals | International |
Spanish woman kills pedestrian in suicide leap
Greek PM calls snap election, takes risky gamble | International |
Catholic editor who criticized Berlusconi resigns | International |
LG Elec to unveil new Windows mobile phones
China denies U.S. reporters were seized in China | International |
Riots in Gabon as Bongo poll win disputed | International |
Indonesian maids in Malaysia to have weekly day off
Myanmar's Suu Kyi appeals against conviction: lawyer
Not enough Facebook friends? Buy them | Technology |
Bangladesh ministers ditch suits to save power
Nokia seeking developers' help in Apple rivalry | Technology |
Storm Jimena brings havoc to Mexican resorts
China stresses prevention of heavy metal pollution
2 Pakistanis arrested in Britain return home
India media: politician killed in copter crash
2 US soldiers killed in vehicle accident in Iraq
Lawyers set to lodge Suu Kyi appeal
Software mogul attacked by elephant during safari
Spacewalk still on despite approaching space junk
China rejects Kadeer call for talks on Xinjiang
Pa. lifers seeking clemency in wake of US ruling
Sprint backs Hero, the latest HTC Android phone | Technology |
Israelis meet US Mideast envoy
Myanmar's Suu Kyi to file appeal in criminal case
Japan's next PM stresses US ties
Study: Older Americans staying put in jobs longer
Iran says will not bow to nuclear deadline 'threat'
Pakistani stocks end lower; rupee weakens
Pakistani forex reserves rise to $14.31 bln
Japan stocks down on strong yen, US worries
S.Korea Sept crude runs to decline from Aug-survey
Trade ministers meet with 2010 Doha deal in sights
Seoul shares flat after volatile trade; autos fall =2
China shares up 5 percent on strong lending news
Taiwan says it won't censor China propaganda film
UK finance minister's warning ahead of G20
An overview of deadly Indonesian earthquakes
Star-filled mausoleum awaits Michael Jackson
Austrian Wehrmacht deserters campaign for justice
Philippines' San Miguel: bln dlr power investment
Fathi meets Yiannis, the man he 'killed' in Cyprus
China to seek more private investment: state media
Nepal's 'living goddess' adjusts to modern life
Venice opens with sentimental Sicily drama | Entertainment |
Movie remake for McCarthy's bleak novel The Road | Entertainment |
Muslims can see Black Eyed Peas, Malaysia says | Entertainment |
LA County lawmaker critical of lack of TV coverage
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01