MEK, yech

This morning’s report that the State Department is close to a decision expected to de-list the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) as a terrorist group quickly aroused the cry of “shameful” in the blogosphere.

Hillary Clinton is unquestionably in a difficult spot:  a U.S. court has ordered a re-examination of the designation, which was certainly justified at the time it was made.  Presumably the issue is whether the MEK, which has managed to hire a lot of high-priced American talent to speak on its behalf, still merits the “terrorist” designation, as it claims to have renounced violence, which it used against not only Iran but also the United States in the past.

Next week’s nuclear talks with Iran complicate the issue.  De-listing the MEK just before the talks could derail them.  De-listing the MEK after the talks, if they go well, could provoke an unfortunate reaction in Tehran.

Keeping the MEK on the terrorist list is of course an option.  Some people think the MEK has been responsible for killing Iranian nuclear scientists.  That would certainly rate a terrorist designation, even if no one in America is mourning their loss.  If they are not actively involved today in terrorist acts, the MEK would likely not be unique on the list–there are other organizations listed who seem past their terrorist prime.  But they may lack the resources to get a court to order a review.

There is one complicating factor:  the bulk of MEK’s cadres are being moved from one place in Iraq, where they took refuge under Saddam Hussein, to another.  The Secretary of State has said she would decide the de-listing issue once that has been accomplished.  This implied approval of de-listing, even if it has nothing to do with the merits of the case.

So it is a difficult choice for the Secretary of State.  If she de-lists, she runs the risk of upsetting nuclear talks that are far more important than the MEK.  If she doesn’t, she runs the risk of provoking the MEK’s many backers, including in Congress, and losing one day in court.  I’d opt to keep them on the list, at least until I was certain they were not responsible for the murder of Iranian nuclear scientists.  But there is ample reason to find the issue distasteful.

MEK, yech.