*Barzani to Arrive in France via Syria Instead of Turkey Kurdistan Observer. April 13, 2002 It is expected that Massoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) will arrive in France today following a five day visit to Syria where he met with several high ranking Syrian officials including the Syrian Vice President Abd-al-Halim Khaddam last Wednesday, reported  Al-Hayat today.

Mr. Barzani will likely meet Mr. Jalal Talabani, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Paris, who has been in Iran since April 10th.

Both leaders of Southern Kurdistan, Barzani and Talabani, are heading to Washington on an invitation by the US State Deportment to discuss ongoing matters regarding the removal of Saddam and also to bring about a final peace settlement between the two major political parties of Southern Kurdistan according to the Washington  Accord signed by the two Kurdish leaders.

It is noteworthy that Mr. Barzani embarked on his trip to Europe and the United States through Syria rather than Turkey as he has done in the past.