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In a speech before the members of the Kurdistani
National Assembly (Parliament) in Erbil (Kurdistan),
Barzani introduced the most prominent results of his
last tour in the United States, Britain and Europe.
"Until now, I do not know exactly what the decisions
of Cairo meetings are. Nevertheless, I heard about
the existence of a schedule for the withdrawal of
foreign forces from Iraq and negotiation with
resistance," he said.
"These forces are
liberation forces. A decision from the Security
Council was issued about them (no.1483). We consider
them as liberators, as they liberated us
from a regime that has destroyed 4500 Kurdish
villages, murdered more than 5000 Iraqi women and
children in Halabja in a few minutes and has led to
the disappearance of more than 182 thousand
persons," he added.
"If there are any other people, who have been harmed
after the fall of the dictator regime, they would be
the beneficiaries of the regime. They would remain
as opposers. Nevertheless, if we compared their
number with those who have been liberated from this
system, they would be much fewer," Barzani
continued.
He considered, "All residents in Kurdistan, the
south and the majority of residents in the center
have benefited from the fall of the former regime."
Barzani refused to call what is happening in Iraq of
operations against the foreign forces as resistance.
He said, "We do not call what is happening in Iraq
as resistance, but terrorism. There is no
resistance, as resistance occurs when you are
opposing someone. We consider these forces as
liberation and not occupation forces."
Barzani wondered, "I do not know how the decisions
of Cairo conference were issued. If they agree with
this trend, this would be good. In case they were
contrary to that, we oppose them. This is our
situation towards them."
In Baghdad, an official in the American embassy has
expressed conservations regarding what has been
mentioned in the statement on 'resistance'.
In a meeting with reporters, the official, who
preferred anonymity, said, "We believe that whoever
murders a civilian, or an Iraqi or American soldier
is a terrorist and not resister."
He added, "The alliance forces are present in Iraq
upon the approval of the Iraqi government and a
decision by the Security Council." He stressed, "The
resistance operations that attack the alliance
forces, which came to assist Iraqis, are terrorist
operations." He clarified, "Any statement or
announcement that prescribes the murder o an
American soldier or element of the alliance forces
is unacceptable."
The American official considered, "In general, the
conference was positive, but we are conservative
regarding this point."
He continued, "The conference was an Iraqi Arab one.
It has been prepared by the Arab League. It is
positive as long as it works for the interests of
Iraqi people. It also represents a significant forum
for Iraqis to discuss and conciliate, for the
purpose of the settlement of security conditions in
the country."
It is worth mentioning that in the final statement
of Cairo conference, the participants confirmed,
"Resistance is a legitimate right for all nations,
but terrorism does not represent legitimate
resistance." This is a formula that represents a
compromise after tense discussions witnessed in the
meeting, as the Sunni representatives insisted on
referring to the fact that "the right of resisting
occupation in Iraq is a legitimate right."
In Cairo, the Secretary-General of the Association
of Muslim Scholars (Sunni) considered that dialogue
between the 'resistance' and the Iraqi president is
possible, in case "Talebani has a serious desire in
meeting them."
In a press conference, Al Dhari said, "In case the
Iraqi president is serious; he can reach them, as
they are present in Iraq. If he wanted to meet them,
he would know how to reach them." In Cairo, last
Sunday, Talebani has confirmed his readiness to meet
with representatives of 'the Iraqi resistance' in
case they requested that.
On the sidelines of the preliminary meeting, he
said, "If those, who call themselves the Iraqi
resistance, desire to contact me, I shall welcome
them."
He added, "I shall never refuse to meet anyone
desiring to see me, but this does not mean that I
shall accept his suggestions." He added, "I am the
president of all Iraqis and want to listen to all of
them."
Al Dhari praised the results of Cairo meeting. He
considered it to be "the first face to face meeting
of significant Iraqi entities that had wrong
concepts about each other. These concepts were
corrected. Therefore, the first advantage of this
meeting is direct dialogue."
Al Dhari added, "This meeting is the first step on
the right path for solving the problems of Iraq, if
the intentions were truthful and everyone committed
to the decisions we made."
Meanwhile, a number of Iraqi officials have
expressed their cautious optimism regarding the
results of Cairo meeting.
Hajem Al Hassani, head of the Iraqi national
Assembly (Parliament) said, "It is not significant
that we reach decisions, but to see what happens
with these decisions in reality." He added, "We hope
that this meeting would have implementation in
reality."
Al Hassani pointed out, "When we launch dialogue, we
should reflect its results when we return to
Baghdad."
On his behalf, Fattah Al Sheikh, an MP and prominent
member of Muqtada Al Sadr's Trend, confirmed,
"Despite the fact that Cairo conference was delayed,
it came in proper circumstances, especially before
conducting the parliamentary elections by the middle
of next month."
He added, "Despite the tension and the hard
circumstances, the participants expressed all their
opinions and reached accord. They would all meet
soon and sit at one table." He expressed his hope
that "everyone participates in the coming
government."
Al Sharq Al Awsat
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