Talibani in Damascus: occupation prevents fighting
Syria-Iraq, Politics, 7/2/2003

The leaders of the Kurdistani National Federation Jalal Talibani yesterday in Damascus said that the American occupation forces have to stay in Iraq in order to avoid disorder and to prevent inter- fighting and the regrouping of partisans of the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

He described the wave of attacks carried out against the American forces in Iraq as "individual behaviors" carried out, in most cases by Iraqi criminals. He said "I think there is an exaggeration in what is called the wave of violence (against the occupation forces)."

He added "sometimes incidents take place because of mistakes by soldiers. I think there is no resistance. These are individual incidents which have connection to the 'Iraqi criminals' who were released (from prisons)." He continued "these are crimes against the Iraqis, and not against the USA." Talibani defended the American occupation of Iraq. He said "the existence of the American forces is a need for preventing disorder and internal sectarian fighting and to prevent regrouping of Saddam Hussein's supporters." He added "I think when a democratic government is established in Iraq, then we will ask the coalition forces to leave."

Talibani denied news reported recently on that there is Israeli intelligence in Kurdistan Iraq. He said "these reports are categorically incorrect. They are lies repeated frequently. We were asked to come here ( to Syria ) to confirm that there are no agents for the Israeli intelligence" in northern Iraq.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Khaleij: Al-Sharif Ali Bin al-Hussein to visit Syria   (7/1/2003)
  UNHCR: Syrian refugees expelled from their houses in Iraq   (6/27/2003)
  Iraqi ambassador to Syria summoned to Baghdad   (6/4/2003)

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