March 20, 2007
AMMAN, -- Iraqi Kurdistan region president
Massoud 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. |
Massoud Barzani, President of Kurdistan region
(Iraq), speaks during a news conference in Amman,
Jordan, Tuesday, March 20, 2007 AP
Flash Video - Zagros TV
Massoud Barzani, President of Kurdistan region
(Iraq), speaks during a news conference in Erbil |
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