No evidence of Blockade Seen at Camp Ashraf
The United States of America today said the U.S. Embassy personnel and other international organizations who have visited Ashraf in recent days have not seen evidence of a blockade.
Camp Ashraf or Ashraf City is a refugee camp in Iraq’s Diyala province and headquarters of the exiled People’s Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK), according to Wikipedia.
The U.S. State Department stated that the United States does not have a presence at Ashraf but it does maintain contact with Ashraf’s leadership and continuously raise issues regarding Ashraf with the Government of Iraq.
Camp Ashraf’s control was formally transferred from the U.S. military to the Iraqi government. The Camp has been attacked several times by Iraqi security forces which has killed as many as 31 and wounded 320 residents on April 2011. The Iraqi government plans to close the camp at the end of December 2011.
“Our understanding is that over the past few months, there has been tension regarding fuel and other deliveries as the Government of Iraq has begun to monitor and inspect deliveries more closely as the end of the year approaches.” – U.S. State Department
The U.S. State Department asserted thay they are not aware of any reports on limiting food or water.
“Fuel deliveries have been more of a concern, and we look to the Government of Iraq to deal with this issue in a responsible manner.” – U.S. State Department
The U.S. State Department stressed that the United States continues to remind the Government of Iraq of its commitment to treat the residents of Ashraf humanely and in accordance with its Constitution, laws and international obligations.
