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WASHINGTON, Feb 7 (KUNA) -- The United States on Tuesday urged the 3,400
residents of Iraq's Camp Ashraf to relocate immediately, as it is "no longer a
viable home for them".
Ambassador Dan Fried told reporters that "We look forward to the first
residents moving from Camp Ashraf to Camp Hurriya in the immediate future,"
referring to a new camp the Iraqi government constructed for the Iranian
dissidents who have occupied Camp Ashraf for the past 30 years. The camp was
under US control until January 2009, when US handed over control to the Iraqi
government.
"Camp Ashraf is no longer a viable home for them. They have no secure
future there. On the other hand, the Government of Iraq has committed itself
to the security of the people at Camp Hurriya and is aware that the United
States expects it to fulfill its responsibilities," Fried offered.
However, leaders said the United States and the European Union must take in
the wounded and ailing residents from the camp as refugees.
Under a pact signed on December 25 between the United Nations and the Iraqi
government, the residents of camp Ashraf will be transferred to Camp Liberty,
another site near Baghdad. (end)
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