[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 121 (Friday, August 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1498-E1499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING THE APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL WESLEY CLARK AS SPECIAL ENVOY TO 
                           CAMP ASHRAF, IRAQ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 5, 2011

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give my support for the 
appointment of General Wesley K. Clark, Sr. as the special envoy to 
resolve the crisis in Camp Ashraf, Iraq. As one of the most highly 
decorated officers in the history of our nation and an authority in 
foreign policy as demonstrated by his ability to resolve the crisis in 
the Balkans while serving as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of 
NATO from 1007-2000, I encourage Secretary Clinton to seriously 
consider General Clark for this position.
  Camp Ashraf is home to 3,400 members of the principal Iranian 
opposition group, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK). There are 1,000 women 
among the residents, as well as children. The Iraqi Government has on 
two occasions attacked the unarmed residents of Camp Ashraf, killing 
dozens and injuring hundreds of defenseless men and women.
  In a press conference on July 30, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki 
stated that western countries should not provide refuge to the 
residents. He has already stated that he intends to expel, and has 
threatened to arrest Camp Ashraf residents by the end of the year. If 
Ashraf residents are left at the mercy of Prime Minister Nuri al-
Maliki, who has repeatedly acted at the behest of Tehran, the residents 
could be killed, tortured or even sent to Iran where they would surely 
be murdered.
  We need to play a very active role to ensure that no other resident 
of Camp Ashraf is subjected to massacre, given that we signed an 
agreement with every resident of Camp Ashraf in 2004 to protect them 
until their final disposition and that the United States recognized 
them as ``protected persons.''
  I strongly endorse the appointment of a special envoy to resolve the 
looming humanitarian catastrophe in Camp Ashraf, Iraq. The envoy should 
not only have notable credentials and experience, but should also have 
the trust of all parties including the residents of Ashraf, European 
countries and the United Nations.
  General Wesley Clark has proven himself to be a diplomat of the 
highest order as well as an outstanding military commander and 
strategist. General Clark graduated first in his class from West Point. 
He completed degrees in philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford 
University where he earned both his B.A. and M.A. degrees as a Rhodes 
Scholar.
  In 38 years of service in the United States Army, he commanded at the 
battalion, brigade and division levels. He served in a number of 
significant staff positions including being appointed as the Director 
for Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5) of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 
General Clark rose to the rank of four-star general as NATO's Supreme 
Allied Commander of Europe and led forces to victory in Operation 
Allied Force where 1.5 million Albanians were saved from ethnic 
cleansing.
  His awards include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Defense 
Distinguished Service Medal (five awards), Silver Star, Bronze Star, 
Purple Heart, honorary knighthoods from the British and Dutch 
governments, Commander of the Legion of Honor by the French government 
and numerous other awards.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to stand with me in urging 
Secretary Clinton to consider General Wesley Clark to lead a special 
envoy to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Camp Ashraf, Iraq. It is in 
the best interest of the residents of Camp Ashraf that this effort be 
led by someone such as General Clark who has military experience and 
demonstrated successful conflict resolution.

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