Iraq: May 10, 2003

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The US has worked out a disarmament arrangement with the Iraq based Iranian opposition group, the Mujahedeen e-Khalq (MEK, or People's Mujahadeen.) The 5,000 armed men and women will surrender their weapons and be protected by American forces.  The problem is, what to do with these people, and the 9,000 family members that live with the armed fighters? Iran wants them turned over to them, which would mean execution or prison for many of the MEK members. It's unlikely any third country would accept them. And eventually, Iraqis will insist that the MEK Iranians leave, for the MEK did dirty work (fighting Shias and Kurds) for Saddam over the last 15 years.