Clinton commends new agreement to relocate Camp Ashraf

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commended late on Sunday the new agreement reached to relocated the residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq. "Today, the United Nations and the Government of Iraq signed an important agreement on the temporary relocation and eventual resettlement of the more than 3,000 residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq", said Clinton in a statement. "We commend the Government of Iraq for its work with United Nations Special Representative Ambassador Martin Kobler, and welcome this important step toward a humane resolution to the ongoing situation at Ashraf. The UN effort has our full support", she added. Clinton noted that the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding "represents significant progress on this issue and outlines steps necessary to achieve a peaceful and viable solution for the residents of Ashraf, including their temporary relocation to Camp Liberty, a former US military base near the Baghdad International Airport". "At this new location, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) will be able to conduct refugee status determinations for the residents of Ashraf -- a necessary first step toward resettlement to third countries", she added. Clinton affirmed that the US administration is "encouraged by the Iraqi government's willingness to commit to this plan, and expect it to fulfill all its responsibilities, especially the elements of the MOU that provide for the safety and security of Ashraf's residents". "We welcome the agreement by the Government of Iraq to allow the United Nations to station monitors at this new location around the clock and to observe the move from Ashraf to this new location. In addition, officials from US Embassy Baghdad will visit regularly and frequently. We also welcome the Iraqi government's willingness to delay the final closure of Camp Ashraf to give this plan time for implementation", she added. Clinton remarked that to be successful, "this resettlement must also have the full support of the Camp's residents, and we urge them to work with the UN to implement this relocation". "All those who want to see the people at Camp Ashraf safe and secure should work together to see that the agreed upon plan is carried out", she concluded. (end) jm.asa KUNA 260904 Dec 11NNNN