DATE=2/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226715
TITLE=IRAQ/KURDS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN
DATELINE=ANKARA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: RIVAL KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ HAVE AGREED TO
COMPLY WITH A U-S-BROKERED CEASEFIRE THAT BROKE DOWN LAST
OCTOBER. OFFICIALS FROM THE "KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY" -- OR
"K-D-P" -- AND THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN -- OR "P-U-K" --
MET WEDNESDAY ON THE MATTER. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THE
CURRENT MILITARY BUILDUP IN THE GULF IS APPARENTLY FACTOR IN THE
KURDISH TRUCE.
TEXT: OFFICIALS FROM BOTH PARTIES DESCRIBED THE MEETING ARRANGED
BY AZIZ MOHAMMED, THE FORMER SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE IRAQI
COMMUNIST PARTY, AS VERY FRUITFUL.
HOSHYAR ZEBARI IS A LEADING OFFICIAL WITH THE K-D-P. HE TOLD
V-O-A THAT THE TWO PARTIES HAD AGREED ON A NUMBER OF POINTS THAT
COULD HELP PAVE THE WAY TOWARDS A COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AGREEMENT.
/// ZEBARI ACT ///
THEY HAVE AGREED ON A NUMBER OF CONFIDENCE-BUILDING
MEASURES, LIKE THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS, THE
REPATRIATION OF DEPORTEES AND (ENDING) THE MEDIA ATTACKS
ON EACH OTHER.
/// END ACT ///
HOPES OF A RECONCILIATION BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS FADED LAST
OCTOBER AFTER THE P-U-K ATTACKED K-D-P POSITIONS, SHATTERING THE
CEASEFIRE. THE K-D-P, BACKED BY TURKISH TROOPS, RETALIATED BY
PUSHING P-U-K FORCES BACK TO THE FRONTLINE.
THE TWO PARTIES HAVE BEEN AT WAR FOR CONTROL OVER NORTHERN IRAQ
SINCE MAY 1994. A U-S LED AIR FORCE BASED IN TURKEY ENFORCES A
"NO-FLY ZONE" OVER THE AREA DECLARED BY THE ALLIES AT THE END OF
THE 1991 GULF WAR.
MR. ZEBARI SAYS THE PEACE PROCESS HAS GAINED IMPETUS BECAUSE OF
THE CURRENT CRISIS BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS AND IRAQ.
/// SECOND ZEBARI ACT ///
WELL IT'S TRUE THAT PEACE PROCESS BETWEEN THE P-U-K AND
THE K-D-P HAS TAKEN A NEW IMPETUS AND (IS) DRIVEN
PRIMARILY BY THE CURRENT CRISIS AND THE CURRENT STANDOFF
BETWEEN THE U-N AND IRAQ. AND THE KURDISH PARTIES ARE
LOOKING BEYOND THEIR IMMEDIATE INTEREST TO THE FUTURE OF
THE KURDS IN IRAQ, IN THE EVENT THERE IS ANY SIGNIFICANT
DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRY.
/// END ACT ///
//OPT// MR. ZEBARI INSISTS THAT TURKISH CONCERNS THAT THE UNITED
STATES AND BRITAIN WANT TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE
IN NORTHERN IRAQ ARE COMPLETELY UNFOUNDED.
/// THIRD ZEBARI ACT ///
THE KURDS HAVE MADE THEIR POSITION VERY CLEAR -- THAT
THEY WANT FEDERATION WITHIN A UNITED IRAQ. THEY ARE NOT
FOR DIVIDING THE COUNTRY. IT'S NOT IN OUR INTEREST. SO
REALLY THESE REPORTS ARE UNFOUNDED.
/// END ACT /// //END OPT//
MR. ZEBARI ALSO DENIES WIDESPREAD MEDIA REPORTS OF A FRESH
TURKISH INCURSION INTO NORTHERN IRAQ.
/// FOURTH ZEBARI ACT ///
THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY NEW TURKISH MOVEMENT INTO IRAQI
KURDISTAN RECENTLY, CONTRARY TO THESE PRESS REPORTS. THE
K-D-P -- WHO IS IN CONTROL OF THE ENTIRE BORDER REGION
WITH TURKEY -- HAS NOT SEEN ANY SUCH MOVEMENT.
/// END ACT ///
ANKARA IS WORRIED ABOUT AN INFLUX OF KURDISH CIVILIANS FOLLOWING
A U-S ATTACK ON IRAQ. TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL SEND
TROOPS INTO THE WESTERN-PROTECTED KURDISH ENCLAVE IF NECESSARY TO
STAUNCH THE FLOW OF REFUGEES, SHOULD SUCH A SITUATION ARISE.
(SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF
13-Feb-98 9:06 AM EST (1406 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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