PUK President: We Will Not Endorse Any Party Hostile to Neighbouring Countries

Kurdsat News

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani at the RCD Forum.

Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), stated that they have clarified that they do not engage in any collaboration with parties or armed groups against Türkiye and that the international coalition in Iraq "are not occupiers.". He urged the United States (U.S.) to accommodate the positive collaboration between Iraq and Iran.

He also emphasised the significance of stability in Iraq for the region and highlighted Iraq's positive relations with neighbouring countries and stressed the need to bolster and improve these relationships to improve security situations.

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani attended the fifth Rafidain Centre for Dialogue (RCD) Forum 2024 in Baghdad. He had an exclusive interview with journalist Kim Dozier, during which he discussed several important topics, including U.S. troops in Iraq and relations with Iran and Türkiye.

President Bafel attributed the recent decline in Iraq's security to concerns about the American presence in the country. He also stated that America's use of its presence to target Iraqi sites for its own interests endangers the country's security.

Regarding the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, President Bafel emphasised the need for the U.S. to protect itself while preventing the situation from worsening and stated that strong U.S.-Iraq relations are beneficial for improving security conditions.

In addition, he highlighted the importance of prioritising foreign relations and added that the coalition forces came to fight terrorism and that, while the threat of the Islamic State (ISIS) has decreased, it still exists. 

President Bafel stressed  that American forces should stay in Iraq and define their objectives and emphasised the importance of these forces in training and preparing Iraqi forces to keep up with advancements in modern technology. In addition, the need for coordinated efforts between the American and Iraqi forces was emphasised. 

Further, he stated that U.S. troops are not occupiers, but allies who need to stay securely in Iraq. 

President Bafel also stated that we live under extraordinary conditions and aim to prevent people from becoming casualties of military and security disputes in the area, and that solving issues should involve dialogue and understanding, rather than turning to violence and force.

Speaking about relations with Iran, President Bafel stated that Iran is a major ally of Iraq, with a substantial amount of trade between them, and that Iran also offered great support to the Kurdish people in their fight against the former Ba'ath Regime. 

“We aim to utilise our own experiences to benefit Iraq's interests and establish positive relationships with neighbouring countries for mutual benefit, without relying on the experiences of other nations.” he added. 

Regarding Türkiye, President Bafe clarified that they do not engage in any collaboration with parties or armed groups against Türkiye and that they are assisting the U.S. in combating the ISIS terrorist group. Additionally, he said that they will not endorse any political party or faction that shows hostility towards Türkiye. 

Additionally, President Bafel stated that the Turkish air strikes continue, resulting in casualties among citizens and friends, emphasising that Türkiye must reassess its policies and resume collaborative efforts, avoiding dealing with the PUK as the enemy. 

He stressed that they have open doors for joint action, dialogue, and mutual understanding. 

The 5th RCD Forum, themed 'Future of Mankind: Crises and Transformations,' is taking place amid tremendous transitions and intensified problems at the local, regional, and worldwide levels. Currently, humanity is confronting major difficulties that jeopardise the security of individuals, societies, and nations. Political oscillations and worrisome social occurrences put humanity's future at risk; indeed, humanity's basic life is at stake. New technologies, including artificial intelligence and excessive and inhuman globalisation, impose various problems, including poverty, shrinking job opportunities, demographic changes, family breakdown, intellectual and identity disorders, difficult adaptation to climate change, depletion of resources and weak control over them, as well as the spread of violence, extremism, and rejection of one another, leading to isolation, alienation, and serious obstacles to sustainable development.


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