Talibani: the next Iraqi government will not establish relations with Israel
Iraq-Israel, Politics, 7/5/2003

In a press interview, the chairman of the Kurdistani National Federation, Jalal al-Talibani, said the attacks against the American occupation forces in Iraq "are not organized resistance" and are limited to certain areas of Sunni majority, while the Kurdish areas in the north and the Shiite in the south are characterized of being calm.

In the interview which was granted while he was in Damascus this week, Talibani said he was careful to confirm to the Syrian officials that the coming Iraqi government which is due to be formed will not establish relations with Israel.

However, Talibani's assertions came contradictory with what was stated by the chairman of his government in Iraq's Kurdistan, Barjam Saleh, two months ago to that relations with Tel Aviv will be on the agenda of the next government in Baghdad.

Talibani said that the Syrian officials "listened to us more than asking questions. We gave them detailed explanations of the real situation of Iraq today. We have discussed the problems the Iraqis face after the fall of the dictatorship regime and asked explanations for certain points" including the "fate of Iraq and the fate of the Iraqi forces and where the Americans want to reach in Iraq, the fate of the council due to be formed very soon and when the Iraqi civilian administration and government will be formed."

He added replying to a question if the Kurds will win after their alliance with Washington succeeded in toppling Saddam Hussein that "the Kurds did not lose and will win because they want a united, democratic, parliamentary and federal Iraq. The Kurds are a basic element in the fabric of the Iraqi society and in the coming equilibrium and also in forming an alliance between the Sunni and the Arab Shiite. It is a traditional Kurdish role and the Kurds play it sincerely."

Talibani stressed that relations between his party and the Kurdistani democratic party led by Masoud al-Barazani, on the one hand and with Syria, on the other, are good. "During our long relations, even when we differed upon the fall of the war on Iraq, we heard not from our Syrian brothers except their saying they honor the special situation of the Iraqi Kurds, even in regard with the relations with the USA. They said they understand the special situation." Talibani continued replying to a question on reports concerning visits made by Israeli delegations to Iraq's Kurdistan "I think it was a mistake. Our Arab brothers are the ones who receive the Israelis. So far, no Israeli visited us, but several Arab states receive the Israelis by hugging and kisses. If this is permitted for our Arab brothers, why should the Kurds be deprived from receiving them ( the Israelis) even with a smile, though no Israeli, even a journalist did not come to Kurdistan."

Concerning the Iraqi resistance against American occupation, Talibani said " it is limited to the Arab Sunni areas in western Iraq, parts of west Baghdad and areas like Sameraa and Tikrit. Some of them are Islamists resistance that came from outside Iraq: from al-Qaida, Ansar al-Islam ... Should you observe the map of Iraq ( you find) the north and the Shiite south are quiet."

Previous Stories:
  Kurdish woman acquires high position in Iraq   (7/4/2003)
  Iraqi Shiite make assurances to the Sunni: we will not revenge. Saddam's atrocity was on all   (7/3/2003)
  Talibani meets Khaddam, al-Ahmar: View points are identical concerning Iraq   (7/3/2003)
  Israeli tourism trips to Iraq   (4/22/2003)
  Al-Mannar: Iraqi opposition members to visit Israel   (4/22/2003)
  Iraqi national congress wants peace with Israel   (3/8/2003)

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