Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Barzani - U.S. troops must leave, but not yet
Security, Politics
(AFP) - Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani conceded Tuesday that security in Iraq was better before the 2003 US-led war but warned an early US troop withdrawal would worsen the situation. "Unfortunately, the situation now in Iraq is tragic and any sudden US troop withdrawal will make things worse," the president of Iraq's Kurdish autonomous region told a news conference in Jordan.
"We are in favour of a US troop withdrawal from Iraq but only when the Iraqi security forces and the government are ready and able to control the situation and guarantee stability in the country," said key US ally Barzani. Asked if the situation in Iraq was better before the US-led war four years ago, he said: "The security situation was better in Iraq in 2003. But in other cases, of course Iraq 2007 is better," Barzani said as Iraq marked four years since US-led forces invaded the country.
"Had we seized the opportunities, Iraq 2007 could have been a prototype (of democracy and stability), but unfortunately, this did not happen," he added as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Jordan. Barzani also acknowledged that a recent US plan to contain sectarian violence in Iraq "has not achieved all its goals," and warned that its failure would have "dangerous repercussions" across the country.
Barzani also denied recent press reports quoting him a saying that the Kurds would declare their independence from the rest of Iraq if all-out civil war between rival Sunni and Shiite forces breaks out in the country. "We would not be party to this struggle or take sides and we will not be a cause of the division of Iraq," Barzani said. He also dismissed "the fears arising from Kurds obtaining their rights. Arab countries must understand that the Kurds are their brothers and their allies. They are not aliens," he said. On Monday Barzani had talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II who reiterated his country's support for efforts to secure reconciliation between rival Iraqis.
"We are in favour of a US troop withdrawal from Iraq but only when the Iraqi security forces and the government are ready and able to control the situation and guarantee stability in the country," said key US ally Barzani. Asked if the situation in Iraq was better before the US-led war four years ago, he said: "The security situation was better in Iraq in 2003. But in other cases, of course Iraq 2007 is better," Barzani said as Iraq marked four years since US-led forces invaded the country.
"Had we seized the opportunities, Iraq 2007 could have been a prototype (of democracy and stability), but unfortunately, this did not happen," he added as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Jordan. Barzani also acknowledged that a recent US plan to contain sectarian violence in Iraq "has not achieved all its goals," and warned that its failure would have "dangerous repercussions" across the country.
Barzani also denied recent press reports quoting him a saying that the Kurds would declare their independence from the rest of Iraq if all-out civil war between rival Sunni and Shiite forces breaks out in the country. "We would not be party to this struggle or take sides and we will not be a cause of the division of Iraq," Barzani said. He also dismissed "the fears arising from Kurds obtaining their rights. Arab countries must understand that the Kurds are their brothers and their allies. They are not aliens," he said. On Monday Barzani had talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II who reiterated his country's support for efforts to secure reconciliation between rival Iraqis.
Labels: foreign troop withdrawal, Kurds, Massoud Barzani
