KURDISTAN NEWSLINE

PUK and KDP Leaders Talabani & Barzani Meet

September 7, 2002

Sari Rash, Sept. 7 – The leaders of the two major political parties in Iraqi Kurdistan, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), are meeting today for discussions on the on-going internal peace and reconciliation process and their alliance consultations concerning the Iraq and the international situation.

The President of KDP, Masoud Barzani warmly welcomed back the General Secretary of PUK Jalal Talabani who returned to Kurdistan region today after an extensive diplomatic tour covering the United Stated, United Kingdom and Turkey. Mr. Talabani personally headed the PUK delegation at the official talks with American Government in Washington, held in August as part of the new initiative to co-ordinate Iraqi opposition forces toward achieving a democratic, pluralistic and federal Iraqi state.

A senior Kurdish source confirmed that the two leaders would be reviewing all the core issues concerning the security and welfare of the Kurdistan region and their common strategy of participation within democratic Iraqi opposition forces toward a new Iraq. In addition, the two leaders and their aides will be discussing issues related to the implementation of the peace process, such as the unification of the two administrations and the convening of a unified Kurdistan National Assembly.