First session in 6 years, Kurdistan parliament ratifies peace agreement
Iraq, Politics, 10/5/2002

Iraqi Kurdistan's parliament on Friday established reconciliation between the two Kurdish groups which were fighting to control Kurdistan, through ratifying a peace agreement signed in Washington in 1998, on the ground of the American threats to strike the regime of President Saddam Hussein.

In a session which was held following a 6 year of cessation, the Kurdistani parliament ratified the peace agreement signed in Washington between the two leaders of the Kurdistani Democratic Party Masoud al-Barazani and the head of the Kurdistan National Federation Jalal al-Talibani who took part in the meeting.

The parliament held a meeting with all its 100 members ( including 51 parliamentarians of the Democratic Party and 49 parliamentarians for the National Federation and five parliamentarians for the Christian minority, in the presence of the chairperson of France's society for freedoms Daniel Mitterrand, the widow of the former French President Francoise Mitterand, a supporter for the Kurdish cause.

Upon opening the session, the speaker of the parliament Nouri Shawis read the message addressed by the US Secretary of State Colin Powell to the parliament in which he expressed support for reconciliation between the two Kurdish groups and his solidarity with the Iraqi Kurds. Powell stressed that the Kurds are "allies" in the campaign of fighting terrorism.

Addressing the parliamentarians, al-Barazani said "this day is of no less importance than the day of the elections in 1992." He apologized for the fall of victims during the bloody confrontation which took place between the two warring groups and resulted in killing 3000 persons.

He expressed thanks for the American, British and Turkish governments over the protection given to Kurdistan through monitoring the so-called "no fly zone" imposed by Washington and London in Northern Iraq.

Al-Barazani said that "the Kurds will not constitute a danger nor a threat to the stability of the neighbors. We are ready to give necessary assurances in this regard," in remarks to fears expressed by Ankara.

Al-Barazani said that the two parties "will give up their differences and will work together for the interests of their cause and people " He added "We have fought terrorism and we will continue fighting it." For his part al-Talibani said "through choosing the federal formula, the Kurdish people seek to maintain the unity of Iraq. A matter which the rule in Iraqi did not do." He indicated that the "unity of the Kurds is not directed against any one." The dialogue was resumed between al-Barazani and al-Talibani by the beginning of September, and the two leaders announced on September 8 reaching an agreement "putting an end to all differences and settling suspending issues."

Previous Stories:
  British dossier says Iraq has 'military plans' for use of WMD . part 1   (10/4/2002)
  Al-Talibani calls on the Arabs to evacuate Karkouk   (10/3/2002)
  Daily News: Syrian, Iran, Turkish and the Kurdish issue   (10/1/2002)
  Secret agreement between al-Barazani, Talibani   (9/23/2002)

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