Talibani describes his visit to Syria as positive

The chairman of the Kurdistani national federation Jalal al-Talibani has described the contacts he had made with the Syrian officials as very positive.

Replying to a question raised by journalists upon his arrival in Ankara coming from Damascus on whether he is carrying a message from Syria to the Turkish officials, al-Talibani said that there are good relations and at all levels between Ankara and Damascus and the two countries are not in need of any "mediator."

On the coincidence of his arrival in Turkey with the visit of the US Vice President Dick Cheney, Talibani said that such coincidence bears no special meaning, noting he did not ask to meet with Cheney but that he will be meeting with Cheney if Cheney desires so.