DATE=04/18/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-275051

TITLE=IRAN / ATTACK (L ONLY)

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Iraqi government has condemned Iranian missile attacks against an Iranian opposition group based in Iraq. Dale Gavlak reports the opposition group, People's Mojahedin (Mojahedin-e Khalq), says several people were killed in the attacks, which took place early Wednesday.

TEXT: An Iraqi government spokesman called the missile attacks a cowardly act of aggression and said that Iraq reserves the right to respond with appropriate means at the suitable time.

A Western diplomat in Baghdad called the latest attacks a serious escalation by Iran against the mojahedin in Iraq.

Iran's foreign ministry did not comment on the attacks and neither have the country's official media.

The People's Mojahedin is Iran's main armed opposition group. It has tanks, heavy guns and helicopter gunships, and in recent months, it has stepped up cross-border raids as well as attacks deep inside Iran, including the capital Tehran.

/// OPT /// Last week (Friday) it acknowledged that six of its fighters died in clashes with Iranian troops and secret police. /// END OPT ///

Mojahedin leaders say that Tehran launched Wednesday's attacks to divert attention from growing problems inside Iran and upcoming presidential elections in June.

Tehran regularly criticizes Baghdad for failing to prevent mojahedin activity. Iraq, in turn, accuses Iran of providing refuge for Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim dissidents who mount hit-and-run attacks into southern Iraq.

Political analysts say the presence of Iranian opposition groups in Iraq, like the presence of Iraqi opposition groups in Iran, is a major stumbling block to the normalization of ties between Tehran and Baghdad. The two countries have failed to sign a peace treaty since the end of their eight-year conflict in 1988. (Signed)

NEB/DG/KL/JWH