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Talabani denies rebel talks, leaves door
open
9.12.2005
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MECCA, Saudi
Arabia, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Iraq's president said on
Thursday his government was not in talks with
insurgents fighting against the U.S.-backed
authorities, but appeared willing for dialogue at a
later stage.
Asked about reports of talks underway with U.S.
involvement, Jalal Talabani told Reuters: "No, this
is not true."
But, speaking on the sidelines of an Islamic
conference in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, he
added:
"The reality is that I, as the president of the
Iraqi people ... am obliged to listen to everyone in
Iraq, including those who believe in the so-called
armed struggle." |
Iraqi
President : Jalal Talabani
Photo: Reuters
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U.S. magazine Time reported last week that the U.S.
ambassador to Iraq was holding talks with Iraqi
nationalist insurgents representing Sunni Arabs, but
not with Islamists groups like al Qaeda.
Thousands of Iraqis have died in daily attacks
carried out by Islamist insurgents who accuse
Shi'ite Muslims and Kurds, who dominate the
government, of allying with foreign forces.
Iraqi government officials have previously said they
will talk to those who are not responsible for
killing Iraqis and are committed to laying down
arms.
Comments by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari,
also in Mecca, suggested talks with some insurgents
could follow after next week's parliamentary
elections.
"The focus now for everybody is the election. We are
trying to bring everybody to the election. The
outcome of the elections will decide many of the
other steps to take," he said.
But he added: "The principle is that everybody who
believes in the political process, who renounces
violence and terrorism has a place. Those who are
carrying guns, who are terrorising people have no
place, full stop." Talabani said last month at a
reconciliation meeting of Iraqi politicians in Cairo
that he was willing to talk to violent opponents of
his government if they wanted contacts.
Reuters
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