August 12, 2011
ERBIL-Hewlęr,
Kurdistan region 'Iraq', — Former Kurdistan Regional
Government KRG Prime Minister and co-ruling KDP
party leader Nechirvan Barzani said that the Kurdish
leadership has expressed a clear position on the
issue of retaining some U.S. forces after December
31, 2011 until the Iraqi military forces become
competent to protect the democratic operations "for
which Iraqis have made sacrifices for many years."
Responding to a question about the U.S. military's
readiness to respond to Iran's provocations in
northern Iraq,www.ekurd.netBarzani
said: "Let's be practical. The Kurdish region
adheres to the principle that it will not allow the
use of its territory under any circumstances to
threaten the security of its neighbours, whether
Iran or Turkey."
There are still around 45,000 US soldiers stationed
in Iraq, including 1,200 who participate in a
confidence-building tripartite patrols and
checkpoints with central government forces and
Kurdish security officers
|
Nechirvan Barzani, former Kurdistan region PM and
deputy secretary of the co-ruling KDP party. Photo:
AP |
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