10,000 cheering combatants welcome Maryam Rajavi to an NLA base

Reuters, Dec. 8, Baghdad - Maryam Rajavi... told a gathering of several thousand supporters on Sunday that the days of the clerical government in Tehran were nearing an end.

She was greeted by a cheering crowd of about 8,000 combatants of the army of the Mujahideen Khalq opposition group. About 2,000 heavily armed Mujahideen fighters guarded the entrances to a military base in the outskirts of Baghdad where she delivered her address....

"Today, near the borders of my homeland...the dark age of the mullahs is reaching the end," Rajavi told the crowd. Mujahideen officials said her speech was broadcast via satellite to supporters in 13 cities in Europe and America.

Anti-aircraft guns guarded the approaches to the base. Women Mujahideen fighters in red headscarves and shapeless khaki fatigues carried rocket-propelled grenades on their shoulders....

AFP, Dec. 8, Baghdad - On Sunday, the reporters observed that Mojahedin Khalq, the Iraq-based Iranian opposition, held a gathering in Baghdad's suburb. 10,000 combatants of the National Liberation Army of Iran, the military arm of Mojahedin, had gathered.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi said: "The era of dictatorship in Iran is over." "The end of the 20th century will be the beginning of the era of democracy, peace and justice in Iran," she added.

She told her supporters: "I am proud of you and very happy to be near the borders of my country."

AP, Dec. 8, photo caption - President of the Iranian Resistance, Maryam Rajavi, accompanied by her husband Massoud Rajavi, enters the gathering of over 10,000 NLA supporters who greet the leaders at an NLA military base outside Baghdad, Sunday, Dec. 8. President Rajavi had been away from Iraq for three years gathering international support for their cause against the mullahs' rule in Iran.

AFP, Dec. 8, photo caption - Some 10,000 fighters of the National Liberation Army (NLA) of Iran welcome 08 December Maryam Rajavi, the elected President of the Iranian Resistance, on her first visit to the NLA in three years. Rajavi, based in Paris, vowed that the "mullahs' regime will be toppled before the turn of the century."

NCR secretariat, Dec. 8 - Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the Iranian Resistance's President-elect, attended a gathering at a National Liberation Army base near Baghdad, meeting for the first time after three years throngs of the combatants present there. She was being accompanied by Mr. Massoud Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance and NLA's Commander in Chief.

The Iranian Resistance's President-elect entered the hall to a stormy, emotional welcome of NLA freedom fighters which continued incessantly as she saluted the people of Iran, praised their resistance and paid tribute to the memory of 100,000 martyrs who gave their lives for the liberation of the Iranian nation.

Mrs. Rajavi said she was extremely proud and happy for being near the frontiers of her homeland and among the NLA combatants. The end of the 20th century will be the beginning of the era of democracy, peace and justice in Iran, she stressed, adding: the dark years of the mullahs' rule will be over soon.

The NCR President, Massoud Rajavi, offered his greetings on the auspicious celebration of Mab'ath (the day Mohammad was chosen to be the Prophet of Islam). He also welcomed Mrs. Rajavi to the gathering of NLA combatants near the Iranian frontiers and congratulated the people of Iran.

Mr. Rajavi commented: The murderous rule of the mullahs has entered its final stage. Rafsanjani's inevitable removal in the coming months will further undermine the regime and completely disappoint all those who had vested interests in this regime. Foreign experts and diplomats in Tehran point to the "increasing deterioration" of the economic and social conditions in Iran," and popular uprisings recently in Kermanshah, Paveh, Ravansar, Javanrood, and other cities in the Kermanshah province, demonstrate that public discontent and popular protests are continuing to spread despite ruthless repression by the mullahs.

Mr. Rajavi cited a 200% increase in the number of executions and another 300% rise in the assassination of opponents abroad in 1996, the stepped up clampdown of intellectuals and writers, the persecution of religious minorities and ruthless murders of their leaders, and the endless chain of suppressive military and security maneuvers in various regions of the country.

Recalling the regime's meddling and export of terrorism in the Iraqi Kurdistan, Afghanistan and other Arab and Islamic countries, the NCR President declared: In the past three years, the support of the absolute majority of Iranians for the Resistance's President-elect was confirmed in their consecutive acts of protest and publicity campaigns at home and in the massive gatherings of Iranians abroad. Therefore, in contrast to the sham presidential elections of the mullahs' illegitimate regime, the Iranian Resistance feels completely confident about taking part in a democratic presidential election held under the supervision of the United Nations on the basis of the principle of popular sovereignty, not the Velayat-e Faqih.

Addressing the combatants who have already passed their most difficult years, the NLA Commander in Chief said: The experience of the past 15 years demonstrates that Iran's ruling mullahs will never accede to the democratic choice of the Iranian people or to international norms and standards. Thus, the only way to establish peace and democracy in Iran and stability and coexistence in this part of the world is the overthrow of the mullahs' regime by the National Liberation Army of Iran.

Kermanshah Province rocked by protests

NCR secretariat, Dec. 5 - Following the mysterious death of Molla Mohammad Rabii, the prominent Sunni leader in Kermanshah, residents of Kermanshah, Paveh, Javanrood, Ravansar and other regions in that province poured into the streets. In protest to the mullahs' suppressive policies, they chanted anti-government slogans. Shortly afterwards, the regime's Guards Corps opened fire on the demonstrators, killing a large number and wounding many more. People attacked and inflicted much damage on government buildings and centers of repression. Large groups of people were arrested yesterday in Kermanshah. No information is available on their fate. Mr. Massoud Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, hailed the arisen people of Kermanshah, Paveh, Javanrood, Ravansar, and other cities in the Western province of Kermanshah. He called on the nation to rise to the aid of the people of Kermanshah and give them support.

Mr. Rajavi extended his condolences to the families of the martyrs of the demonstrations and clashes yesterday. He condemned the discriminations against religious minorities and the suppression of the adherents of Sunni faith and assassination of their leaders. The uprising of the people of Kermanshah is but an indication of the hatred of the general public toward this illegitimate regime, Mr. Rajavi said. He called on the international community to reject the mullahs' religious, terrorist dictatorship and pressure it to free those arrested yesterday.

One of the officers in charge of clamping down on the demonstrators, Ali Akbar Najafi, a Security Forces colonel, was killed in the clashes yesterday in Kermanshah, reports from this city say. At 9.30 this morning, over 500 people staged a demonstration in Paveh. Guards forces have attacked the demonstrators and at least 30 persons have already been arrested.

After 48 hours of silence, the mullahs' religious, terrorist dictatorship attributed the incidents of the past two days to the Mojahedin. In its news edition this noon, Tehran's state-radio said that the Hezbollahis of Kermanshah chant slogans against the Mojahedin to confront the unrest.

Wave of arrests in various cities in this province continues, amounting to hundreds. The number of those wounded is rising. 35 of those wounded yesterday in Javanrood were transferred to Kermanshah.

According to the reports until late last night, the situation remains tense in most regions in Kermanshah. The Security Forces and Guards Corps are on full alert throughout the region and Guards Corps units patrol all the main streets in the city of Kermanshah.

NCR secretariat, Dec. 6 - Dozens have been killed so far in the demonstrations and protests of the past few days in the Province of Kermanshah (western Iran). Hundreds have been wounded and hundreds more arrested.

A considerable number of the protesters are around 20 years old and engage in courageous fights with the mullahs' suppressive forces, eyewitnesses reported. There are also many students among those wounded or arrested.

Following the discovery of the dead body of Molla Mohammad Rabaii, a Sunni leader, people of Ravansar staged a demonstration on Monday, chanting anti-establishment slogans and clashing with the Guards Corps who opened fire on the protesters. Some 300 persons were wounded, who had to be transferred to Janvanrood due to a shortage of space in Ravansar, itself. Of the 13 who were hospitalized in Ravansar, Kourosh Mohammadi, 19, lost his life due to severe injuries.

The next day in Javanrood, youths gathered in Bassij Square and staged a protest in solidarity with the demonstration Monday in Ravansar. They chanted slogans against Khamenei and Rafsanjani. The youngsters clashed with the Security Forces and Guards Corps. At least 50 were wounded and a large number, including three 15 and 16 year old students were killed. Subsequently, the residents of Javanrood took to the streets. They attacked government buildings and centers of suppression, smashing the windows and setting them on fire. The buildings were inflicted with heavy damage and at least one revolutionary guard was killed in these attacks.

Tuesday afternoon, Ravansar saw another popular demonstration which was raided by Pasdaran (revolutionary guards) who were on full alert. The protest was dispersed only after dozens of demonstrators were killed and wounded.

Wednesday afternoon, thousands of people of Kermanshah gathered in front of the Shafe'i Mosque to stage a protest. As the Security Forces and Guards Corps intervened, heavy clashes broke out. 21 persons were arrested and seven wounded. At the same time, a colonel, Ali Akbar Najafi, was killed in clashes with the protesters. All the provincial officials took part in his funeral on Thursday.

AP, Dec. 7, Bakhtaran - Armed riot police patrolled the streets Saturday of a troubled neighborhood in this western Iranian city, where clashes erupted earlier this week over the death of a Sunni religious leader.

Shops were closed and residents stayed indoors, bringing an eerie calm to the Javanshir district. Dozens of helmeted riot guards with machine guns stood watch on every street corner. Residents of this city of 700,000 people, 280 miles (450 kilometers) southwest of Tehran, were hesitant to talk about the unrest that erupted Wednesday. Most people gave vague reports about the trouble, but no details.

Iran's main exile opposition group, the Iraq-based Mujahedeen Khalq, said nine people had been killed and 60 wounded in rioting starting Wednesday in the city of Bakhtaran, capital of the province of the same name. It said dozens of protesters were killed and hundreds wounded in other cities in the province.

Another exile opposition group, the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran, reported violence in several cities.

Reuters, Dec. 5, Tehran - An Iranian police colonel was killed and several others may have died in the western city of Kermanshah this week in riots triggered by the death of a Sunni Moslem cleric, residents said on Thursday.

"It's not safe to go to Javanshir," a bank employee in Kermanshah said. "I heard several cars were attacked there. The situation must be bad because we hear occasional gun shots, even at night." "I heard that several people were killed and many were arrested there," she said.

The journalist said state radio carried reports by officials from the coroner's office and medical experts saying Rabi'i had died of a heart attack.

Tehran radio said unrest at the colonel's funeral had been quelled by residents of Kermanshah.

It said: "At the funeral, a move of disunity by an instigated group chanting deviant slogans was brought to an end by local people chanting 'Death to Monafeq'." The term, meaning hypocrite, is used by official Iranian media to refer to the Iraq-based Mujahideen Khalq opposition group.

Iran's state-run television said a number of people had been arrested in Kermanshah, but gave no figure.

In Paveh, a Kurdish town 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Kermanshah and near Iraqi border, unrest broke out on Thursday among the predominantly Sunni population in response to the rumours surrounding the cleric's death.

"Hundreds of high school students broke some shop windows and chanted 'death to terrorists' in Paveh's main street," a shop owner said. "They were quickly dispersed when police began shooting into the air."

AP, Dec. 8, Bakhtaran, Iran - Clashes over the death of a Sunni Muslim religious leader left five people dead last week, a senior security official in this western city said Sunday.

The unrest was sparked by the death Monday of Mullah Mohammad Rabii, who officials said suffered a heart attack. His supporters claim he was killed by government agents.

The security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that three rioters and a security officer were killed in Bakhtaran.

Hundreds of protesters also clashed with security police in Ravansar and Javanrud, towns 40 miles (60 kilometers) northwest of Bakhtaran. The official said one protester was killed in Ravansar. The official would not say how many were wounded in the riots Wednesday and Thursday. He said 40 people were arrested. The security official blamed the riots on "anti-revolutionary elements," a term usually used to refer to agents of the outlawed Iranian opposition group, the Mujahedeen Khalq, which is based across the border in Iraq.

The Mujahedeen said nine people were killed and 60 wounded in Bakhtaran, and that dozens were killed and hundreds wounded elsewhere in the province.

The group did not claim responsibility for the unrest, but Mujahedeen president Maryam Rajavi, in Baghdad on Sunday, praised it as a "courageous uprising."

Urban Maneuvers

Ahwaz radio, Dec. 1 - Defensive urban maneuvers will be held in Khuzistan Province for ten days. The deputy coordinator for the Revolutionary Guards Corps in Khuzistan region announced this news and said the maneuvers would begin on December 11 throughout the province. It will be held in two stages, each lasting five days. Participants will be the Bassij forces, most of whom have previously served at the war fronts.

"The Bassiji brothers and sisters will be organized into 52 battalions and carry out the exercises under the supervision of Bassij Resistance force," the GC coordinator said. Emphasizing that the maneuvers are of operational and security value, he described the objectives as to prepare the Bassij forces for operations, stationing the Bassij at sensitive posts, centers, checkpoints, factories, etc. He called on the members of the [paramilitary] Bassij to actively participate in the maneuvers.

Kermanshah radio, Dec. 3 - To achieve better readiness for the urban defense maneuvers which will begin on Dec. 6 in the Province of Kermanshah, seven battalions of Bassij Resistance force in the offices, factories, public places and villages registered in the training camps.

Kermanshah radio, Dec. 7 - The urban defense maneuvers of the Bassij Resistance force was successfully carried out yesterday in the Province of Kermanshah. The forces taking part in the maneuvers were stationed at the city entrances and other key and sensitive areas and exerted control and inspection, demonstrating their readiness to defend Islam and the Quran, and counter the conspiracies of the counterrevolutionaries.

Moqaddam, commander of Kermanshah's Bassij forces, Hojjatol Islam Lotfi, director of the representative office of the Vali-e Faqih in Najaf Garrison, the Fourth Bessat Division and a group of Guards Corps commanders and officials were present.

In the cities of Kangavar, Sonqor and Sahneh, too, the Bassij Resistance forces demonstrated their power and readiness to defend the Islamic Revolution.

AFP, Dec. 7 - The Iranian military began its week-long maneuvers in southwestern Iran. The maneuvers are launched by 60,000 troops from the 88th armored division and backed by the air, tank and artillery units. The maneuvers are called Conquest. BR>
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