Banned Iranian terror group lobbies for legitimacy on Capitol Hill

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

A banned terrorist group is conducting what members of Congress describe as one of the most effective lobbying campaigns seen on Capitol Hill, winning support from politicians even in the face of a government investigation of its legality.

Former heads of the CIA, FBI, homeland security and the US military have joined members of Congress of both major parties in backing a legal action by the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran, known as the MEK, to be removed from the US list of proscribed terrorist organisations.

But the openness of the campaign and the large amounts of money backing it, with donations to congressional campaign funds and large payments for speeches in support of the MEK, has prompted an investigation into potential breaches of laws against financial dealings with banned organisations and whether the campaign amounts to material support for terrorism.

Among those under investigation are the former chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, General Hugh Shelton, the former FBI director, Louis Freeh, and Michael Mukasey, who, as attorney-general, oversaw the prosecution of terrorism cases.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/22/iranian-terror-group-lobbies-capitol-hill

[xchrom]

1. MEK already has covert support - now they

Want the whole hog.

[denverbill]

2. Once again, putting to rest the myth the we are in a 'war on terror'.

You are only a terrorist if you kill Americans or Israelis. If you do the exact same thing to Iranians, you're a freedom fighter.

[may3rd]

4. How do you account for the Syrian fighters?

[may3rd]

3. If they are willing to grease Capitol Hill palms

Those elected officials on the hill will find a way to accept the donations.