Kurdish Leader Underscores Cultural Ties With Iran
February 21, 1998 - 0:0
TEHRAN A Kurdish leader expressed hope yesterday that the current cultural and political relations, which have created profound understanding between Iraqi Kurdish people and their Iranian brethren should be further expanded. The leader of Kurdish Revolutionary Hizbollah Adham Barezani talking to Tehran Times said, As an Islamic movement in Iraqi Kurdistan, we consider Islamic Revolution as a global movement which knows no boundaries and which belongs to all oppressed people.
Right from the victory of Islamic Revolution in 1979, Imam Khomeini called for unity of Muslims under the banner of Islam. In fact, without the name of the late Imam Khomeini, this revolution is not recognized in the world. We have pinned our hopes on this revolution and it is our political and religious duty to follow the Imam's guidelines, Barezani said.
Barezani stressed that the Kurdish people have long-standing historical relations with Iranians. Our historical and cultural ties actually stem from our deep Islamic culture, he said. We believe our two nations should be stronger and explore further avenues to get closer to each other, he stressed. He said our current relations with Iran grew stronger with the culmination of the Islamic Revolution. In fact, we are indebted to the great nation of Iran for their all-out political and financial support in sensitive junctures, Barezani said.
When the international community stopped short of taking action to prevent the crimes committed against our people, it was only the Islamic Republic of Iran that stood beside their Kurdish brethren, he said. He said the suggestion made by President Khatami on dialogue between civilizations is highly appreciated as it lays down the ground for deepening of cultural relations among the two nations.
During presidential election campaign, Mr. Khatami expressed interesting ideas about Kurdish people and said the people of Iran are indebted to the great Kurdish nation for their bravery to safeguard Iranian territory in the course of history. He said if President Khatami's initiative finds reality many problems lingering in the region, in particular the Kurdish problem, will be resolved through appropriate mechanism and better understanding.
The Kurdish people unanimously announce their readiness to achieve peace and prosperity by entering into cultural and historical discussions which the future generation will avail of as well, said the Kurdish leader. Adham Barezani started his struggle in Iraqi Kurdistan in 1977. With the outbreak of Iraq-Iran war in 1980, he left Iraq and sought asylum in Iran. Barezani founded Kurdish Revolutionary Hizbollah in 1983.
On the intervention of Turkish troops in Iraqi Kurdistan coinciding with the U.S. hue and cry on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, Barezani said this is not for the first time that Turkish army violates the territorial integrity of Iraq. He added that this scenario began when Saddam occupied Kuwait. We all know that Turkey has covetous eyes on Iraqi Kurdistan and that they have repeatedly announced this fact in the past, Barezani remarked.
Nevertheless, he said, Turkey is a NATO member and always ready to follow the U.S. dictates. We have always withstood Turkish incursion and condemned it. This time again under any circumstances we condemn Turkish deployment of troops inside Iraqi territory and believe that the problem of Kurdistan or Iraq should be settled by the Iraqi people themselves, and not by foreign expansionist powers, said Barezani.
Right from the victory of Islamic Revolution in 1979, Imam Khomeini called for unity of Muslims under the banner of Islam. In fact, without the name of the late Imam Khomeini, this revolution is not recognized in the world. We have pinned our hopes on this revolution and it is our political and religious duty to follow the Imam's guidelines, Barezani said.
Barezani stressed that the Kurdish people have long-standing historical relations with Iranians. Our historical and cultural ties actually stem from our deep Islamic culture, he said. We believe our two nations should be stronger and explore further avenues to get closer to each other, he stressed. He said our current relations with Iran grew stronger with the culmination of the Islamic Revolution. In fact, we are indebted to the great nation of Iran for their all-out political and financial support in sensitive junctures, Barezani said.
When the international community stopped short of taking action to prevent the crimes committed against our people, it was only the Islamic Republic of Iran that stood beside their Kurdish brethren, he said. He said the suggestion made by President Khatami on dialogue between civilizations is highly appreciated as it lays down the ground for deepening of cultural relations among the two nations.
During presidential election campaign, Mr. Khatami expressed interesting ideas about Kurdish people and said the people of Iran are indebted to the great Kurdish nation for their bravery to safeguard Iranian territory in the course of history. He said if President Khatami's initiative finds reality many problems lingering in the region, in particular the Kurdish problem, will be resolved through appropriate mechanism and better understanding.
The Kurdish people unanimously announce their readiness to achieve peace and prosperity by entering into cultural and historical discussions which the future generation will avail of as well, said the Kurdish leader. Adham Barezani started his struggle in Iraqi Kurdistan in 1977. With the outbreak of Iraq-Iran war in 1980, he left Iraq and sought asylum in Iran. Barezani founded Kurdish Revolutionary Hizbollah in 1983.
On the intervention of Turkish troops in Iraqi Kurdistan coinciding with the U.S. hue and cry on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, Barezani said this is not for the first time that Turkish army violates the territorial integrity of Iraq. He added that this scenario began when Saddam occupied Kuwait. We all know that Turkey has covetous eyes on Iraqi Kurdistan and that they have repeatedly announced this fact in the past, Barezani remarked.
Nevertheless, he said, Turkey is a NATO member and always ready to follow the U.S. dictates. We have always withstood Turkish incursion and condemned it. This time again under any circumstances we condemn Turkish deployment of troops inside Iraqi territory and believe that the problem of Kurdistan or Iraq should be settled by the Iraqi people themselves, and not by foreign expansionist powers, said Barezani.