Barazani assures Turkey: we will not establish a Kurdish state

The leader of the Kurdistani Democratic Party Masoud al-Barazani has stressed he will not declare an independent state in northern Iraq, and he rejected the idea of the American interference to topple the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, considering that changing the Iraqi leadership is a matter that concerns the Iraqis.

In a statement, al-Barazani said "we cling to honor the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and we do support a multi democratic, federal and parliamentary state in Iraq."

But he stressed that the "next political regime in Iraq should be only decided by the Iraqi people without foreign interference or pressure." He expressed his understanding for "fears of the neighboring countries especially Turkey" noting his readiness to cooperate with Turkey in order to ease down matters by means of dialogue.

He simultaneously warned Ankara from "resorting to threats and pressures." Al-Barazani said "we are ready to give necessary guarantees for Turkey's security and sovereignty."