- Title: USA: Iranian Americans protest closure of Camp Ashraf.
- Date: 13th December 2011
- Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 12, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF IRANIAN AMERICANS MARCHING OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE IN PROTEST OF THE IMPENDING CLOSURE OF CAMP ASHRAF CLOSE-UP OF FLAGS AND SIGNS (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOM RIDGE, FORMER SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYING: "You in the State Department are ignoring the law. You have not demonstrated to us in many manner, shape or form that this is a terrorist organization. It remains on the list. Well let me tell you what I think about the State Department ladies and gentlemen. Their inaction is indefensible, it's unspeakable. They are feckless, gutless, arrogant and naive to trust Iran!" PEOPLE MARCHING OUTSIDE OF THE WHITE HOUSE CLOSE-UP OF MARCHERS CARRYING FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (English) LOUIS FREEH, FORMER FBI DIRECTOR SAYING: "The notion of relocating these men and women in Iraq or repatriating them, God forbid to Iran is tantamount to a death sentence as the American forces leave less witnesses for this to be accomplished so that can't happen." MARCHERS HOLDING UP PHOTOS AND SIGNS (SOUNDBITE) (English) AIHAM ALSAMMARAE, FORMER CABINET MINISTER OF IRAQ SAYING: "He's (Maliki) really not representing the Iraqi people. He is representing Iranian mullahs." FORMER REP. PATRICK KENNEDY (D-RHODE ISLAND) SAYING: "The White House and the Secretary of State and the State Department are listening to a man that lies. He's listening to a man named Nuri al-Maliki who has not only lied but has lied when it came to this issue." MARCHERS HOLIDNG SIGN CALLING ON PRESIDENT OBAMA TO PROTECT THE 3,400 IRANIAN DISSIDENTS IN CAMP ASHRAF, IRAQ AND PREVENT AN IMPENDING MASSACRE
- Embargoed: 28th December 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa, Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAAQFXWCK0PVTSI5F4XZL3WCCTL
- Story Text: Hundreds of Iranian American demonstrators gather outside the White House to protest the planned closure of Camp Ashraf, a camp opposed to the Iranian regime.
Hundreds of Iranian Americans demonstrated outside the White House on Monday (December 12) to protest the planned closure of Camp Ashraf, a camp housing dissidents opposed to the Iranian regime.
Protesters chanted Nuri al-Maliki's name outside the White House as the Iraqi Prime Minister met with U.S. President Barack Obama.
Former Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy told the crowd of protesters, "The White House and the Secretary of State and the State Department are listening to a man that lies. He's listening to a man named Nuri al-Maliki who has not only lied but has lied when it came to this issue."
Demonstrators called on Obama to uphold the American promise to protect the lives of 3,400 Iranian refugees and members of the opposition, living in Camp Ashraf, Iraq -- members of Iran's principal opposition movement, the Majahedin-e Khalq (PMOI/MEK).
About 1,000 of its residents are women and one-third are former political prisoners in Iran who found safe haven at Camp Ashraf.
"The notion of relocating these men and women in Iraq or repatriating them, God forbid to Iran is tantamount to a death sentence as the American forces leave less witnesses for this to be accomplished," said Former FBI Director Louis Freeh, speaking to the crowd of protesters.
The withdrawal of almost all U.S. troops from Iraq by Dec. 31 has created uncertainty at a time the region remains roiled by the Arab Spring, and amid fear Syrian instability could spread sectarian strife into neighboring Iraq. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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