Exiled Iranians want Obama to help keep camp open

AP: An exiled Iranian opposition group has issued a letter signed by ranking former U.S. military officials asking President Barack Obama to pressure Iraq to cancel the Dec. 31 deadline to close a camp of dissidents or risk a massacre.

The Associated Press

PARIS (AP) – An exiled Iranian opposition group has issued a letter signed by ranking former U.S. military officials asking President Barack Obama to pressure Iraq to cancel the Dec. 31 deadline to close a camp of dissidents or risk a massacre.

The letter made public Saturday by the People’s Mujahedeen of Iran came three days before Obama’s meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The letter is signed by the likes of former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman retired Gen. Henry H. Shelton. Some U.N. and European officials have already voiced fears of a tragic outcome if the 3,300 unarmed members of the People’s Mujahedeen Organization are relocated in Iraq.

The letter says that would be a “prelude” to massacre after Iraqi forces killed at least 34 in two attacks.