Brussels, 01/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 1 December, the high representative of the EU for foreign affairs called for a suitable and satisfactory solution for the 3,400 Iranian opposition members in camp Ashraf (Iraq), which is due to be evacuated on 31 December. Stressing that she was trying to work “very closely” with the United Nations, Catherine Ashton stressed that it was the UN's “responsibility to try and find a suitable and satisfactory outcome, to give these people a new home, to return them where they wish to go and ensure that they are treated correctly”. “The critical thing is to keep 3,400 people safe”, she added. The head of diplomacy stressed that she had discussed the issue with the United States and that she was working with the Iraqi government on the issue.
In parallel, some 200 people opposed to the closure of the camp demonstrated in front of the Council and called on the EU to act. (CG/transl.fl)