On July 13 the exiled Iranian opposition group, People's Mojahedin, MEK held the its annual event named Free Iran. The event was held at the newly inaugurated headquarters of the MEK in Albania. The headquarters is named 'Ashraf 3' . A similar complex existed in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's regime but was closed down by Iraqi authorities in 2013.
Radio Farda journalist Samira Gharaei interviewed former New York Mayor Rudy Guliani, who was one of the guest speakers at the event.
The former mayor has been a vocal critic of the Islamic Republic and has attended previous MEK events.
Guliani is President Donald Trump's personal attorney but he attended the event in a personal capacity.
Radio Farda: Can you elaborate on the goals and achievements of this gathering?
Rudy Giuliani:I think this gathering is the most optimistic of the gatherings I have been to. I have been to 11. This is called Free Iran 2019, and the people here are optimistic and determined that they are going to remove the regime of terror which has been there for 40 years now, murdered over 300,000-400,000 of their own people and many people from other countries. It has to come to an end. The crimes against humanity are too great to allow this regime to exist anymore. They should be thrown out and prosecuted for crimes against humanity. They should be prosecuted for murder.
Radio Farda: Considering the current tension between the United States and Iran, how do you define optimism at such a gathering?
Rudy Giuliani:I find the gathering is uniform in its condemnation of the regime of terror. There are people here from Canada, the United Kingdom, South America, France, Germany, Italy, [and] Albania, of course, because they are the host. I have utmost respect for Albania, both the ruling party and the opposition who are in quite a political battle, agree on refugee [status] for these freedom fighters.
Albania more than most European countries has stood up against the Iranian regime of terror.
I would say to the people of Europe: We have many people from your countries that support a free Iran and are willing to stand up to the regime of terror.
Radio Farda: What is your position on the efforts of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to resolve issues with Iran diplomatically?
Rudy Giuliani:I’m not against diplomacy. I’m very much in favor of diplomacy. I’m against doing business with Iran and therefore feeding the monster. I’m against doing business with mass murderers. I find it very strange and very perplexing and upsetting that on a continent that was overwhelmed by Nazism where many of my fellow countrymen have been buried in order to liberate, there is not the same passion for freedom with regard to Iran as there used to be. I’m afraid that greed has gotten in the way.
Radio Farda: Do you think that your presence at this meeting has any influence on U.S. President Donald Trump?
Rudy Giuliani:These are views that I’ve had for the last 30 years, and certainly in the last 11 I have been very active, long before President Trump became president. I was very vocal in my criticism of President [Barack] Obama and the reckless agreement that he made with Iran. I was supportive of everyone who took a strong position with fighting the regime of terror and trying to deprive it of finances and money -- including President Trump, who has been very heroic in what he has done. Senator [Joe] Lieberman, who is a Democrat, praised President Trump today for doing away with the reckless nuclear agreement and putting these terror groups on the terrorist list. This something president Obama didn’t do. I’m his [President Trump’s] lawyer [and] I’m his friend, but these are my personal political views, and I’ve had them for 30 years.
Radio Farda: What are your thoughts on other opposition figures such as Reza Pahlavi? Are you willing to support him, as well?
Rudy Giuliani: Of course, I am. I’m willing to talk to anybody that wants to see regime change in Iran. I’m willing to talk to them, I’m willing to do what I can to see if we can combine all their efforts because I think the MEK (Mojahedin-e Khalq opposition group) and the National Council of Resistance (NCRI) are made up of over 100 organizations. Not just the MEK.
