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Nechirvan Barzani: Anti-Iran Operations never
Allowed in Iraqi Kurdistan
8.5.2007 |
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May 8, 2007
TEHRAN,-- Iraqi Kurdistan region Prime
Minister Nechirvan
Barzani stressed that Iraqi Kurds may never allow
their soil to be used for operations and plots
against Iran.
"Security of Iran is our security," Barzani, who is
also the leader of Kurdistan's Democratic Party (KDP)
told a press conference following his meeting with
Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi in Tehran on Sunday.
He reminded the two countries' age-old desirable
ties, and praised the Islamic Republic of Iran's
supports for Kurdistan
during the hard times, saying, "Since old times we
have been in the same trench with the Iranians."
The Kurd official called for the further improvement
of ties between Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan.
Asked about his discussions with Pour-Mohammadi for
the betterment of the two sides' security relations
and enhancement
of security at joint borders, he said, "As a
neighbor of ours and of Iraq's, Iran has always
extended much help to us,
specially during the hard times and difficulties.
Whenever we needed help, Iran's doors have been open
to us."
"Therefore, security of Iran is our security and we
may never allow our soil to be used for operations
and plots against Iran," Barzani underlined.
He also voiced preparedness to promote the existing
relations between the two sides to the highest
levels possible, given the cultural commonalities of
Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan.
"Regarding security aspects of the two sides'
relations, we are ready to study the relevant issues
in the form of a committee in the Iraqi government,"
Barzani said, adding that Iraq's Kurdistan is ready
to host Iranian economic activists in all grounds.
In response to questions about the recent security
problems at the shared borders of Iran and Iraq's
Kurdistan, Barzani reminded that security issues are
of a fully mutual nature, and continued, "We have
decided to form joint committees to study and remove
the security issues of the two sides." |
Iraqi Kurdistan region Prime Minister Nechirvan
Barzani (R) with Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi
in Tehran. Photo: Fars.News
Iraqi Kurdistan region Prime Minister Nechirvan
Barzani (R) with Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi
at a press conference in Tehran. Photo: Fars.News |
Also asked about his administration's measures for
the release of the Iranian diplomats abducted during
a raid by the US troops on Iran's consulate general
in the Kurdish city of Erbil, in Kurdistan region
(northern Iraq), Barzani said, "Since the very first
day, the issue has been a matter of concern for us,
and we believe that it (i.e. abduction of diplomats
by the US forces) was a wrong thing to do. Iran's
consulate in Erbil had provided many services for us
and their activities were entirely normal."
"We have done our best, within our possibilities, to
set these diplomats free and we view the issue as
our own problem," the president of the local
administration of Iraqi Kurdistan reiterated.
He also pointed to his efforts for the release of
the diplomats as the reason behind his delayed visit
to Iran, saying, "I endeavored to bring good news
about the freedom of these diplomats during my trip
to Tehran, but unfortunately, it did not
turn possible."
Barzani also said that the closure of the Iranian
consulate in the city of Erbil (following the US
raid) has caused Kurds so many problems, including
the troubles and prolonged process for the issuance
of visas.
"I have raised the issue during my meetings with
Iranian foreign minister and Iranian ambassador to
Baghdad, and we hope to witness resumption of
activities by Iran's consulate in Erbil and
Soleymanieh in the near future," he said.
Also during the same press conference, the Iranian
Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi viewed the
two sides' mutual ties as good but not desirable,
saying that Iran and Iraq enjoy abundant potentials
for expanding ties, including their shared views,
goals, interests and cultural and historical
backgrounds.
Asked about the nature of Iran's aids and
cooperation with Iraqi Kurdistan, he said Iran is
prepared to render all types of cooperation with the
people and local government of the Iraqi Kurdistan,
given the two sides' profound ties.
He also said that security, scientific and
educational cooperation has further deepened and
broadened relations between Iran and Kurdistan.
Pour-Mohammadi also said that his meeting with
Barzani focused on such topics as issues pertaining
to the neighboring cities at the two sides' shared
borders, consolidation of cooperation among border
provinces, increase of border exchanges,
participation in the reconstruction of Iraqi
Kurdistan and enhancement of border security.
farsnews com
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