Talibani calls on the Arab states to support the Kurds by weapons; the war is after Ramadan
Iraq-Syria, Politics, 11/1/2002

The opposition Iraqi Kurdish leader Jalal al-Talibani who is due to start today a visit to Damascus expected an American attack against Iraq after the month of Ramadan which expires on December 5th.

He in the same framework called on the Arab states to "support us to get rid off the regime of Saddam Hussein, including military support." In a statement to journalists in Tehran where he is in a visit since Monday, Talibani stressed "I think the American attack against Iraq is inevitable but it will not happen before the end of the month of Ramadan." Talibani who held talks with several leaders of the Iraqi Shiite opposition leaders in Iran stressed the rejection of the Iraqi opposition "of the invasion of the American forces to Iraq."

He simultaneously stressed that the "opposition forces are crippled to topple Saddam Hussein without foreign help." He added that the "foreign states, the US and also the Arab and European states can help us to get rid off the regime of Saddam Hussein, including a military support." Talibani also talked about three possible scenarios following intensive American air raids against Iraq which are "a coupe by the army to topple Saddam Hussein, .. Iraq opposition control of the authority, .. or an interference of the army of an Arab country like Jordan to support the Americans." Al-Talibani explained he expects the second scenario, noting that "army units might join the opposition." Talibani met with the leader of the higher council of the Islamic revolution in Iraq Ayatullah Baqer al-Hakim to prepare for the opposition conference which will be held on November 15 through 25 in Brussels.

Some 200 representatives belong to various groups of the Iraqi opposition will discuss the issue of forming a "provisional government" that will follow the change of the regime in Baghdad, and will form "a coordination committee" in preparation for the post Saddam phase.

Meantime, member of the political bureau of the Kurdistani national federation and the official for Arab relations in Damascus, Adel Murad, said that Talibani will arrive today in Damascus on top of a delegation to hold talks on several issues relating to conditions in Iraq.

During his visit to Damascus, Talibani will be meeting with President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam and high ranking Syrian officials.

Previous Stories:
  Baghdad accuses Washington of interfering with inspectors; Saddam's cousin calls on him to quit   (10/31/2002)
  Iraq, Iran exchange soldiers remains   (10/31/2002)
  Iraq- Iran to discuss expanding cooperation   (10/31/2002)
  Kurdish official meets with Iraqi opposition in Syria   (10/18/2002)
  Barham Saleh: Iraq is divided ethnically and religiously   (10/15/2002)
  Iraqi Kurdish delegation visits Syria   (10/14/2002)

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