PUK LEADER JALAL TALABANI; "KADEK IS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION...
KDP AND PUK WILL NOT PROVIDE SAFE HAVEN TO TERRORISM IN THE REGION..."

Underlining that the PKK (the terrorist organization which has changed its name as KADEK) terrorists will not be allowed to take shelter in in the northern Iraq, PUK leader Jalal Talabani pointed out to the fact that the Turkish army might come to the region in order to protect the Kurds and Turcomans.

Interviewed by the Gulf News Daily on February 3, 2003 issued in the United Arab Emirates, PUK Leader Jalal Talabani commented on the recent developments in Iraq:

"We did not have good relations with Turkey last year as we were cooperating with the terrorist organization PKK. Turkey was reacting against this situation. However, PUK ended its cooperation with PUK which did a lot of harm to Kurds. We are acting against the PKK terrorism in the region together with KDP. We have formed joint committees to protect our people against PKK terrorism. We don't want terrorists, no matter they are called PKK or KADEK in the northern Iraq.

We will not attack the Arab cities like Mosul and Karkuk during the Iraqi war. We don't want to create a new crisis between the Kurds and Arabs. We will avoid the initiatives resulting in the hostilities with the Arabs. We are aware of the sensitivity of Turkey in the issue of Mosul and Karkuk. That's why we will not adopt an approach which will provocate Turkey.

If the US troops come to the northern Iraq, they should first get permission from Turkey. Otherwise, they can't come to the region.

We have agreed with the Turcoman Front to cooperate on some subjects. We have decided to strengthen and expand our cooperation on any level for the future of Iraq and for the future of our own ethnic groups.

Turkey said it would protect the Turcomans and Kurds in Iraq and it considers the both the Turcomans and Kurds as relatives and brothers. If Turkey comes to the northern Iraq, this means that it is coming to protect the Kurds and Turcomans. Turkey is our friend.

After the change of regime in Baghdad, there might be cooperation between KDP and PUK. However, we are two different parties and we have different views. PUK advocates social democracy while KDP advocates ethnic nationalism. Whereas the PUK is a socialist party comprising peasants and laborers, KDP mostly comprises the Barzani family members.

It is a dream for the Kurds to create an independent state in the northern Iraq. We are revolutionists but realistic revolutionists. It does seem likely neither for today nor for tomorrow that the dream of the Kurdish state will come true. It is not possible to change the borders of the countries in the region.

We want to have a democratic structure in Iraq. As PUK, we can contribute to the economic and cultural development of Iraq."

Meanwhile, KDP representative Hosyar Zebari who answered the questions on the establishment of a Kurdish state in the northern Iraq said "it is not possible to establish an independent Kurdish state in Iraq. Even if such a state is established, it is impossible for it to survive. Iraq is our country and we want to have a democratic Iraq after Saddam" and pointed out to the fact that the efforts directed at the establishment of a Kurdish state in the region might do harm to Kurds.