Iran exiled opposition head sees rebirth for group after removal from US "terrorist" list

• published: 31 Jul 2015
• views: 13

1. Various of Maryam Rajavi, Leader of the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK), holding book entitled "Fallen for Freedom, 20,000 PMOI Martyrs" 2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Maryam Rajavi, Leader of the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK): "I welcome the courageous decision by Secretary Hillary Clinton to de-list the PMOI. This decision based on, this decision is a correct decision based on the law, facts and political wisdom." 3. Cutaway of Rajavi seated 4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Maryam Rajavi, Leader of the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK): "I'm sure that after that (the de-listing), our energy, the energy and potential of the Iranian people and the Iranian resistance (will) focus on (our) main objective. It means the overthrow of the Mullahs' regime and for regime change in Iran, especially for a democratic change in Iran and a free and democratic Iran for future." 5. Close-up of Rajavi holding photographs showing Camp Liberty in Iraq where remaining members of the PMOI are living 6. Mid of Rajavi showing photographs 7. SOUNDBITE: (French) Maryam Rajavi, Leader of the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK): "The balance of power, the balance of power is going to change. For example, the first message for the Iranian people will be they won't fear increasing their activity and increasing their demonstrations." 8. Wide of Rajavi having picture taken 9. SOUNDBITE: (French) Maryam Rajavi, Leader of the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK): "When we won against the terrorist label (in court), then the label of cult increased and I think that it's not true because our movement is a political and humanitarian movement. Our cause is very clear. Our cause is democracy and the freedom of democracy for the future of Iran. We are against fundamentalism which is in power in Iran. We are against terrorism because the Mullah's regime is the centre of the exportation of terrorism and fundamentalism in the Middle East." 10. Wide of Rajavi speaking to reporter STORYLINE: The leader of an Iranian militant group that was taken off the US terror list on Friday said the move will change her group's "balance of power" with the world - predicting a higher profile in politics, fundraising and diplomacy as well as increased anti-regime activity in Iran. The US State Department said the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK) has not committed terror for more than a decade. The decision means that effective immediately, any assets the group has in the United States are unblocked and Americans are permitted to do business with the organisation. Maryam Rajavi, the Paris-based head of the exiled opposition group, said in an interview that she hopes the organisation can now have the ear of the world's diplomats to help bolster its bid to overthrow Iran's clerical regime. She stressed that its goal was to replace the Islamic Republic with a democratic government. "I'm sure that after that (the de-listing), our energy, the energy and potential of the Iranian people and the Iranian resistance (will) focus on (our) main objective. It means the overthrow of the Mullahs' regime and for regime change in Iran, especially for a democratic change in Iran and a free and democratic Iran for future," Rajavi said. She praised the "courageous" decision made by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to de-list the group. A court order had given Clinton until 1 October to act. The group was removed from the European Union's terrorist list in 2009. Rajavi denied claims by critics that MEK has all the earmarks of a cult, blaming Iran for such allegations. "When we won against the terrorist label (in court), then the label of cult increased and I think that it's not true because our movement is a political and humanitarian movement. Our cause is very clear," she said. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/9537abeacf95a957e87396ba893870c0 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork