Massoud Rajavi calls on D'Alema to cancel Khatami's trip, end one-sided policy by Italy's previous governments in support of mullahs' terrorist regime

In a letter to the new Italian Prime Minister Mr. Massimo D'Alema, Mr. Massoud Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, called on him to cancel Khatami's trip to Italy and end the long-held one-sided policy by Italy's previous governments favoring the religious, terrorist dictatorship ruling Iran. This policy runs counter to the highest interests of the Iranian people and does not benefit the people of Italy.

NCR President added that if the trip were to took place, Italy would be the first European country welcoming the President of this sinister and bloody regime. The trip is scheduled simultaneous with the sixth anniversary of the assassination of Mr. Mohammad Hossein Naqdi, NCR's representative in Italy, and while his killers have yet to face justice.

Mr. Rajavi added that the firm stance of the Democratic-left Party and D'Alema in the past 10 years in condemning human rights and export of terrorism by the regime and in supporting the Iranian Resistance for peace and democracy give rise to the expectation that the current Italian government not allow the mullahs to take advantage of Italy's policies to prolong their shameful rule.

The recent wave of murders and the Intelligence Ministry's acknowledgment that it was directly involved in these terrorist crimes demonstrate that the notion of change during Khatami's tenure is absolutely bogus and his rhetoric about the "rule of law" and "civil society" is only a deception.

Recalling the UN General Assembly condemnation of the mullahs' regime and enumerating the regime's crimes since Khatami took office, NCR President said: These facts show that "relations and dialogue with this regime" not only fail to strengthen the moderates, but will encourage the escalation and continuation of human rights abuses and export of terrorism.

Mr. Rajavi added: Beset by political, social and economic crises, the clerical regime is in its final phase. The wave of protests and strikes have engulfed the country. The Iranian economy is virtually bankrupt due to the mullahs' backward policies, spending the lion's share of the national budget on military purchases and weapons, and unlimited plunder by the ruling mullahs.

In these circumstances, extensive economic ties with the mullahs, are not only counter to the principles of human rights, but will prove futile, NCR President added. He said: In the past years, Italy's policy towards the religious dictatorship ruling Iran has amounted to nothing but an unbalanced, one-sided policy of political and economic concessions to a regime without any political or economic prospects. Naturally, such policy disregards the Iranian people and Resistance and leaves no way to future.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
January 8, 1999

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