Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Baghdad (Fides Service)- “I think this is most important for the stabilisation of the situation in Iraq” Father Nizar Semaan, Iraqi priest in Mosul told Fides commenting the news published by the Italian daily “Il Foglio” of two meetings on June 21, one between Turkish Prime Minister Tayyp Erdogan and Iraqi Kurd leader Jalal Talabani (Curd Patriotic Union) and the other between a Turkish delegation and the traditional Iraqi Kurd Massoud Barzani (leader of the Kurd democratic Party). Turkey, which has a small Kurd minority, has always been diffident with regard Iraqi Kurd's aspirations for independence fearing that a separate Kurd nation could trigger a movement for the secession of its own Kurdish zone. “Iraq’s Kurds have undertaken an important change in their policies, renouncing independence but making a request for an Iraqi federal state” Father Nizar told Fides. “This change has obviously been noted by Turkey. I am convinced in fact that if the rights of Kurds in Iraq are guaranteed this will lead to the same measure in the other countries where there are communities of Kurds. I think it in the interests of Turkey to reach an agreement which established peace within its own territory and along its southern borders”.
Kurds in Iraq are about 4 million. Whereas all together Kurds are between 20-25 million in five countries, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Azerbaijan. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/6/2004 righe 21 parole 243)
