Nichervan Barzani: KDP Backs PUK Logistically And Ethically

(The Kurdistan Observer) Oct 9, 2001. A leading KDP member revealed that the KDP party
has provided Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) financial support and arms to help it in its
struggle against Islamic extremist groups operating in Kurdistan near Iranian border,
reported a London based Arabic newspaper, Sharq Al Awsat today.

Nechirvan Barzani the Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said that
the KDP has granted 25 million Kurdistan Dinars, weapons and variety of ammunition to
PUK following the escalation of contentions between PUK and the fundamentalist groups
last month. 

Mr. Barzani also said that the KDP refuses to accept existence of fundamentalist groups in
Kurdistan. He added that the KDP regards them as the sources of trouble in the region. The
KDP will not hesitate to fight along side the PUK forces against those groups if it is called
upon by the PUK. The KDP has been targeted by the extremist Islamic groups which, among
other crimes, murdered Franso Hariri, a KDP high ranking member last February, concluded
the KRG official.
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