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Kurds aiming for final agreement next week Ecevit says Turkey prepares its defenses Trouble brews between Kurds/Islamic rebels in Iraq KDP and PUK Set to Seal Agreement on Implementing Four-Year-Old Peace Deal Kurds tell of Iraqi war ignored by outside world Iraq's Kurds Fear Results of U.S. Attack on Saddam Former US diplomat visits Iraqi Kurdistan Turkey's Kurdish party sees no ban before polls Al-Qaeda Surrogate Islamic Group in Southern Kurdistan Destroys Sufi Shrines Two Kurdish guerrillas killed in Southern Kurdistan Police Smash Immigrant Smuggling Ring Washington will not lay the groundwork for a "provisional government" Iraqi Kurds Fear Islamic Militant Group Attack by Islamist Radicals in Kurdistan Brings Kurdish Factions Closer Sweden Arrests Kurd in Immigrant "Honor Killing" Turkey set for November polls, EU reforms in doubt
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A Statement By
Massoud Barzani On Recent Media Statements
Kurdistan Democratic Party Salaheddin, 10 Sept 2002 Recently, a number of press statements attributed to us have appeared in the international media; among them was an interview that appeared in the German weekly DIE ZEIT of 5 September 2002. The interview was made on 13 July 2002 by a freelance journalist and nearly two months later was printed in a distorted manner. These press reports run contrary to KDP's realistic and consistent policies, and since many issues were misrepresented we would like to clarify our position. We are committed to Iraq's territorial integrity and unity and we support a democratic, pluralistic, parliamentary and federal Iraq that will ensure the rights of all Iraqi peoples. The future political system of Iraq should be decided by the people of Iraq without any outside intervention and pressure. KDP's position on terrorism is clear and solid. We have always stood against terrorism and we would do so now and in the future. We will oppose all those who resort to terrorism as a means to an end. We have always maintained that our relations with neighboring countries should be friendly and based on common interests, co-operation and mutual respect. While we understand the concern and unease of our neighboring countries, particularly Turkey, we are prepared and determined to work and cooperate closely with Turkey to end tension through dialogue. We are also committed to offer whatever assurances needed to Turkey's national security and sovereignty. We will never allow the areas under our control to become a sanctuary to whomever to undermine the security and stability of our neighboring countries. At the same time, we believe that the difficulties we are encountering in our bilateral relations with Turkey can be resolved through dialogue and not through threats and pressure. This is our position and we are not responsible for any other manipulated statements. ENDS
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