Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Barzani threatens failure to act on Kirkuk will end in 'disaster'
Kurdistan
(Kurdistan TV) - A conference focusing on the forces of democracy in Iraq was held in Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan, on Tuesday. At the conference, President Masoud Barzani gave a speech in which he stressed that democracy is Kurdistan’s main concern. The Kurds are renown for their tolerance, ability to co-exist with others, and acceptance of other points of view. The Kurds have always respected human rights, in particular women’s issues.
President Barzani stated that any forced unification or division would fail just like the former Czechoslovakia and Germany. He reiterated, “We don’t threaten to interfere in the affairs of other countries and we don’t expect other countries to threaten us.”
President Barzani said the Kurds wanted no part in the current religious and ethnic disputes, adding that they have always regarded themselves as part of the solution as opposed to part of the problem. The president also reiterated that Kurds would never be party to any kind of division of states.
The president continued, “We are not saying Kirkuk should be exclusively for the Kurds, but it is an Iraqi city with a Kurdish identity and all historical facts confirm this. The Kirkuk question is an Iraqi issue and no foreign country has the right interfere. Failure to reach a consensus on Article 140 would spell disaster.” The president extended a hand of friendship to all countries and factions on the basis of mutual respect and common interests.”
President Barzani stated that any forced unification or division would fail just like the former Czechoslovakia and Germany. He reiterated, “We don’t threaten to interfere in the affairs of other countries and we don’t expect other countries to threaten us.”
President Barzani said the Kurds wanted no part in the current religious and ethnic disputes, adding that they have always regarded themselves as part of the solution as opposed to part of the problem. The president also reiterated that Kurds would never be party to any kind of division of states.
The president continued, “We are not saying Kirkuk should be exclusively for the Kurds, but it is an Iraqi city with a Kurdish identity and all historical facts confirm this. The Kirkuk question is an Iraqi issue and no foreign country has the right interfere. Failure to reach a consensus on Article 140 would spell disaster.” The president extended a hand of friendship to all countries and factions on the basis of mutual respect and common interests.”
Labels: Article 140, Erbil, Kirkuk, Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani
