Massoud Barzani vows to fight terrorism in Kurdistan.
 

(The Kurdistan Observer) Sep 24, 2001.In a speech to the Kurdistan  National Assembly-Arbil last week, the President of the Kurdistan  Democratic Party Massoud Barzani discussed the current challenges  and issues facing Kurdistan. At the beginning of his speech, Mr. Barzani condemned strongly the evil attacks which were carried out by known terrorists against U.S. and its

innocent people, and expressed his profound empathy to the American government 
and to the families and relatives of the victims.

Terrorism In Kurdistan

The KDP leader spoke of terrorist activities in Kurdistan such as the assassination of 
Faranso Hariri, a high ranking KDP member, and the several bomb attacks in Arbil. 
Barzani also discussed the latest development concerning a new "fundamentalist" terrorist
group in Kurdistan, "we heard recently that they (a terrorist Islamic group) renewed their
activities in the Bayara and Tawela regions to transform Kurdistan into a base for terrorism
and terrorists."

The KDP leader vowed to fight terrorism in Kurdistan.

"I assure you again that the Kurdish Regional Government and the Party (KDP) would be at
the forefront fighting the terrorist groups without fear,"  and vowed to root them out through
"a wide reaching co-ordination with all the parties, particularly, the Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan."
 

Among the other issues that the KDP President touched on was the Weapon and Firearms
Laws that have been passed by the Kurdistan National Assembly.  Barzani told the members
"I ask you again to put these laws in practice."  He added that "According to these laws,
citizens would register their firearms or sell them to the government. The laws are clear, any
person who posses firearms without registration and permission would be in violation of 
them."

At the end of his speech, Barzani talked about the peace process and said "We have made
many vital steps toward a full peace. The atmosphere of cooperation and trust has never been
better between us and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.  I am confident that we (KDP and
PUK) will in a short time eliminate the remaining hurdles."
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