Translation of President Masoud Barzani's interview with CNN Turk television channel on October 15, 2009


CNN Turk: Mr. President, thank you very much for this interview. The time for using violence and force is coming to an end; the PKK is laying down its arms. What do you say about this?

President Barzani: First of all, you are very welcome here in Kurdistan and I am pleased to have this interview. We have never supported, support or will support the use of force. It is not right; it is wrong. Problems have always been resolved through political means and dialogue. We know that Turkey is now taking this route.

CNN Turk: How do you see the process in Turkey, opening up to the Kurds?

President Barzani: We certainly see this as an important political step and the correct one. We are always prepared to be part of any peaceful process because we no longer need the use of force.

CNN Turk: Mr. President, you consider this process as important. In what way could you help Turkey in this respect?

President Barzani: I believe that following through with peaceful policies and means is the best way forward. The PKK is beginning to appreciate this and I don’t believe it will carry on with armed struggle forever. We are willing to play a role in any peaceful initiatives, as we have done in the past and we will continue with this policy. I am not going to delve into the details of how to resolve the Kurdish question. We leave this for the Turkish state. The important thing is that the deadlock has been broken. I see the steps taken by the Turkish state as very significant and as the foundation for breaking a psychological barrier in addressing the Kurdish question.

CNN Turk: So you are in favour of an end to the use of force?

President Barzani: Yes, as I mentioned at the outset, resorting to violence and force is not good. The killing of a Kurd at the hands of a Turk or the killing of a Turk at the hands of a Kurd will only pave the way for more bloodshed. I have always emphasised this. It is therefore important that the political rights of Kurds in that area are not denied. I believe what is happening in Turkey now will pave the way for a more comprehensive resolution. These policies are courageous and strong. We are certainly prepared to support these steps.

CNN Turk: You, Mr President, commend this project, if we can call it the opening up of Turkey [towards the Kurds], or [Turkish Prime Minister] Erdogan’s project, or the national project; but in what way would the President support this project?

President Barzani: We have never supported the use of force in order to reach a resolution and will not do that. We would like a peaceful atmosphere to emerge and we would like an end to violence and the use of force. I don’t believe that when there is the possibility of a peaceful resolution, we need the use of force and arms, because [using force] will not solve anything. Of course, one needs to look at each place [country] according to its particular dynamics. I said that Turkey is taking important steps and it could take even greater strides forward. However, what is being done in Turkey is less than that which has been done in Iraq and in Iraqi Kurdistan. No comparisons have been made with the model in Iraqi Kurdistan. Notwithstanding that, I believe the culture that is beginning to emerge in Turkey is a very significant change.

CNN Turk: Relations between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan have been through many ups and downs in the past; how is this relationship now?

President Barzani: Yes, it’s true that our relations were deteriorating for some time, which we did not desire. We are taking serious steps to improve our relations. Winter snow is melting away and we are on the eve of spring in our relations. I am very optimistic about the future of these relations and to develop strong relations.

CNN Turk: How about the possibility of opening a Turkish consulate in Erbil?

President Barzani: No doubt Turkey’s current policies will have an affect on the relations between Kurds and Turkey. We view the opening of a Turkish consulate in Erbil as a great, beneficial step towards removing any obstacles in our way.

CNN Turk: Mr President, you just said that your relations with Turkey are improving; do you have plans to visit Turkey? Would you accept an invitation from Turkey?

President Barzani: I have respect for Turkish people and I always reiterate this. I would gladly visit Turkey anytime I receive an invitation.

CNN Turk: As the President of the Kurdistan Region, you are one of the key leaders of Iraq. How do you evaluate relations between Turkey and Iraq, and the relations between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey within this framework?

President Barzani: The Kurdistan Region has a legal and constitutional status within Iraq. Our rights are respected in the Iraqi constitution. We are obviously part of Iraq and we work within this framework. Through this framework, we are always working to improve relations between Turkey and Iraq. We would like to build strong relations between Iraq, Kurdistan and Turkey. We should not forget that Iraq borders Turkey through the Kurdistan Region and therefore the Kurdistan Region is a gateway between Iraq and Turkey.

CNN Turk: Do you also believe that improving economic relations between you and Turkey is also important?

President Barzani: Turkey is obviously an important country to us. Neighbourly, cultural, and economic relations bind us together, as well as co-existence. The Kurdistan Region is very rich in oil resources. We should take mutual benefit from this and it will no doubt provide a strong basis for our relations. Turkey is very rich in water resources and water is now more important than oil. We have diverse relations with Turkey. Turkey also depends on us for many products. There are many Turkish companies working here. We hope that serious talks can begin between the two leaderships.

CNN Turk: Only Turkish companies?

President Barzani: I don’t really want to go into these details but the presence of Turkish companies in the oil sector is not a bad thing. We should also bear in mind that Turkish companies constitute the largest number of foreign firms investing in the Kurdistan Region and this is a known fact.

CNN Turk: How do you view Turkey becoming a member of European Union?

President Barzani: We would be very pleased by that.

CNN Turk: Do you believe this would have any benefits for Kurdistan?

President Barzani: This will no doubt be very beneficial to us.

CNN Turk: Iraq still lacks a law for oil and there are disagreements between you and Baghdad on this. How do you see your relations with Baghdad and with Turkey in this respect?

President Barzani: It is true that there are disagreements between us and Baghdad. These disagreements are like family disagreements. But the final referee for these disagreements is the Iraqi constitution. We are bound to this constitution. We are prepared to resolve any disputes through the constitution.

CNN Turk: Mr President, everybody is talking about the aftermath of the US withdrawal from Iraq. President Obama has set a deadline of the end of 2011 to withdraw all US forces from Iraq. Many people think the Kurds do not want the US to withdraw from Iraq. Do you have any comments on this?

President Barzani: I believe the size and number of US forces is not important; the question of a US withdrawal is a domestic political issue in the US. A US withdrawal could pose a threat to the whole country, not just Kurdistan.

CNN Turk: But there is also talk that the US may keep a small military base in Iraq. Could this base be in Kurdistan?

President Barzani: This issue would be discussed with the Iraqi government. If the US wanted to have a military base in Iraq, Kurdistan might be a possible location for such a base.

CNN Turk: Are you in favour of that?

President Barzani: We would like the security agreement, as well as strong relations between Iraq and the US to be maintained. We have never wanted Iraq to be occupied by the US. Iraq needs to enjoy security and stability and the US has a key role to play in this.

CNN Turk: Many people say that if the US leaves, the situation in Iraq will deteriorate?

President Barzani: Everything is possible, including the possibility of civil war. Yes, the possibility of civil war is real, but we would try to prevent that.

CNN Turk: How about the situation in Kirkuk?

President Barzani: A roadmap for the resolution of the Kirkuk issue exists in Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution. This is a legal and constitutional article for the resolution of the status of this city. If the Kirkuk issue is not resolved through this solution, the problem will persist. We therefore want to resolve this issue through legal and constitutional means. Obviously those against the implementation of Article 140 are those people who do not want the problems of Iraq to be resolved. The sooner this article is implemented, the better for us, the city and all Iraq. There are many people with different requirements, including those calling for the return of centralisation and avoiding the resolution of the status of Kirkuk. We cannot wait indefinitely.

CNN Turk: If the PKK lays down its arms, or if it continues with its armed struggle, how could this affect the stability in Kurdistan and Iraq and your relations with Turkey?

President Barzani: I don’t see it as appropriate that our relations with Turkey should be bound to this issue. We are not responsible for the actions of the PKK. However if this problem is resolved, it would have a positive impact.

CNN Turk: No too long ago, US Vice President Biden visited the Kurdistan Region and you met with him. Could you tell us if Biden’s old proposals were discussed in this meeting?

President Barzani: Biden had personal views when he was a Senator. He had a good grasp of the situation in Iraq. But naturally when he became US Vice President, he became part of an administration. Being a senator gives more freedom and independence. We discussed the issues facing Iraq with him. He emphasised the political process in the Kurdistan Region and his support for this Region. We agreed on all the outstanding issues with him. He indicated his support for this process.

CNN Turk: What do you think about President Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?

President Barzani: I congratulate him.

CNN Turk: Mr. President, back in 1993 you were asked that after so many years of fighting in the mountains, whether you believed in independence for Kurdistan. You answered in the affirmative. You also said back then that if I was asked this same question after 15 years, I would have the same answer. Will this dream continue?

President Barzani: I have the same answer now. I believe that the dream cannot be realised by force but through dialogue and understanding. However, as a legitimate right, I believe in it. This will not be resolved by denying Kurds their rights. All problems can be resolved through peaceful means and fraternal co-existence. Our problems cannot be resolved by denying each other. No problems can be resolved through force. The only viable solution is through understanding and accepting each other. We have some constant and mutual requirements, which we must agree on. I would like to reiterate again that Turkey’s current policies are a significant and important change.

CNN Turk: What is the last word from Masoud Barzani to millions of Turkish viewers via our channel?

President Barzani: I wish success for the people of Turkey. I congratulate the Turkish government for the process of opening up Turkey towards the Kurds. I say this to Turkish people: whether we are Kurds or Turks, we are all brothers. We don’t want the blood of Turkish sons or Kurdish sons shed at each other’s hands. We have wounds from our past experiences. We need to heal these wounds and live in peace and fraternity.

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