Edwynn
Posts: 4105
Joined: 10/26/2008 Status: offline
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I read through one of the stories above and now it's becoming clearer. - The investigation "is targeted less at individuals, and more at where the money is coming from," said Reza Marashi, a former State Department official whose group, the National Iranian American Council, advocates against taking the MEK off the terrorism list, in an interview with Yahoo News Friday. - I'll bet they do, being as that they are rival organizations. But this within the wiki page: In November 2009, the NIAC came under scrutiny when Washington Times national security correspondent Eli Lake alleged that the organization, registered as a 501(c)(3) educational organization, could be "operating as a foreign lobby in violation of federal law".[3] Lake writes, "Mr. Parsi's history suggests a continuing commitment to changing U.S. policy on Iran, and he has clearly become more influential in Washington since the change of administrations."[3] In response, NIAC published a point by point rebuttal of the article written by Eli Lake, stating that "NIAC is a 501 c3 educational organization with an H election. As a result, NIAC is permitted to engage in lobbying up to 20% of its budget. NIAC and its staff are in full compliance with all regulations and laws" elaborating further that "Educational activities and advocacy for general policies, such as opposition to war - as opposed to specific legislation - are not lobbying under the law." Not only is it legal for the NIAC to lobby, it is also apparently legal for them to work directly in the state dept. at high level positions "said Reza Marashi, a former State Department official whose group, the National Iranian American Council, advocates against taking the MEK off the terrorism list, in an interview with Yahoo News Friday. -" That explains a lot.
< Message edited by Edwynn -- 3/18/2012 6:41:19 PM >
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