It is essential to make it clear that the Iranian regime is engulfed in domestic and international crisis.  Since the beginning of the New Year 28 people have been hanged by this evil regime.  Despite severe repression, signs of public discontent have grown throughout the country.  The ruling theocracy, in order to preserve its system, resorts to further attacks to political dissidents and to numerous terrorist operations abroad, especially into Iraq and acquires nuclear weapons trying to intimidate the international community also in order to divert the attention of the Iranian public opinion. This regime is not only a major enemy of the Iranian people but is also a serious threat for the world peace, security, stability and development.  I’m proud to say that the majority of members of both houses of the Italian Parliament signed documents agreeing with Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, president of the political coalition, NCRI, on how to deal with this regime that is imposing, on one hand, oil and gas sanctions against the ruling dictators and on the other hand supporting the Iranian people in their organized resistance to change this regime for a democracy.  And Italy is among those who are leading the way towards strong European Union sanctions (as itself). 

Now, some 3,400 members of the (PMOI), the main organized opposition to the Iranian regime, have been lawfully residing as refugees in Camp Ashraf for the past 25 years.  And during this time they transformed this barren piece of land into a modern town.  I am always moved to see what they are able to see there, as we have seen in this video.  Despite written assurances given to the United States, Iraqi forces twice attacked them in 2009, 2011, clearly as a consequence of Tehran’s regime pressures, leaving 47 residents and hundreds injured.  Despite the residents’ legal right to remain at Ashraf, in order to prevent another attack, Madame Rajavi in December persuaded them to accept the relocation to Camp Liberty provided there were minimum guarantees for their protection and well-being by the United States, United Nations and European Union.  For sure it was a difficult decision but one that has displayed to the international community not only Mrs. Rajavi’s outstanding leadership but her uncommon wisdom and long-sightedness as statesperson.  Nevertheless, Iraq broke its commitments and has prevented a group of residents from relocation to Camp Liberty with their vehicles and personal property.  It also denied access to Camp Liberty for a smaller group to inspect the site before the transfer begins.  Our committee of members of the Italian Parliament has supported the United Nations (deal) to relocate the residents to new camp based on the assurances provided by Mr. Kobler and U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.  Our committee finds the transfer of the residents to Camp Liberty unacceptable unless the minimal demand announced by Mrs. Rajavi are implemented. The residents’ representatives must be given 48 hours advanced access to Camp Liberty for inspections of the site, and the residents must be permitted by Iraq to transfer their personal items to their movable property, especially their vehicles, to the new site.  No Iraqi armed forces must be inside the new camp, whatever the reason or the pretext.  International attention must be conveyed to this operation.  I think that members of Parliament and international personalities as those who are here today must be allowed as observers to these operations.  [applause]  I am ready. 

One last thing.  The international community’s discussing of our sanctions to Tehran’s regime.  Sanctions [applause] these sanctions are profoundly right, although costly and sometimes difficult to implement.  But as an Italian, as a European, very aware for how much we owe to the United States, starting from the restoration and the protection of our freedom, I want to ask the American authorities to listen to the great Americans who are here today keeping the promise to stand for freedom and justice for all and enact appropriate sanctions to delist the MEK.  [applause] Ashraf we won’t let you down.  Iran must be free, and may the time of this freedom be this year, 2012.  [applause]