Meeting with British MP Andrew MacKinlay

British MP Andrew MacKinlay met Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President -elect of the National Council of Resistance o f Iran, at her residence in Auvers-sur-Oise, north of Paris.

Mr. MacKinlay, a member of Foreign Affairs Select Committee of the British Parliament, spoke of great support for Mrs. Rajavi among his colleagues in both houses of Parliament. “The Iranian resistance supporters’ relentless endeavors to reveal the crimes of the mullahs’ regime shows the legitimacy and extensive support this resistance enjoys within the Iranian society,” he said.

The British MP praised Mrs. Rajavi’s efforts to establish democracy and equality, adding that Mrs. Rajavi’s wealth of views, human values, and respect for democracy had made her the focal point of hope for future Iran.

Mr. MacKinlay condemned the mullahs’ election farce. “There is no difference between the candidates, all of whom were involved in suppression and terrorism,” she said, adding, “It is shameful that some Western countries are still looking for a moderate or even a pragmatist in this regime.”

Mr. MacKinlay, who has been a member of British parliament since 1992, said Western countries could pave the way for democratic change in Iran by supporting the Iranian resistance. On the contrary, he said, short sighted economics considerations has prompted them to deal with mullahs’ regime and in practice share in the crackdown of the Iranian people. “What happened in France on June of 2003 is a clear example of that policy,” MacKinlay noted.

While expressing outrage over the June 17 raids and Mrs. Rajavi’s arrested, MacKinlay said, “My colleagues and I in the British Parliament, strongly condemn continued pressures on the Iranian Resistance by French government. We will officially express our concerns to the French authorities.”

Mr. MacKinlay added that along with his colleagues, he would actively support the Iranian Resistance and the third option presented by Mrs. Rajavi.

While expressing gratitude for Mr. MacKinlay’s solidarity with the Iranian Resistance and the people of Iran, Mrs. Rajavi said, your positions and initiatives in the British Parliament has always impressed me. You have proven that you are a true representative of the British people who are unwilling to sacrifice the humanitarian and democratic values for political considerations and economic interests.

She added that unfortunately, the appeasement policy had taken a heavy toll from the Iranian people and prolonged the life of this brutal regime, causing more pain and sufferings. Under such circumstances, the courageous position taken by members of the British Parliament is very heart warming for the Iranian people’s struggle for democracy.

Mrs. Ruth MacKinlay, the Parliamentary Assistant to Mr. MacKinlay, also attended the meeting.