Oluşturulma Tarihi: Nisan 26, 2006 13:04
In a statement made on El Arabiya television, Northern Iraqi leader Mahsoud Barzani asserted plans to transform his region into a free trade zone somewhat like Dubai. When an El Arabiya television reporter asked during Barzani's comments how Turkey would react to these plans, Barzani said "If someone tries to stop our people from profiting or progressing, we will try to prevent them from enjoying stability and security."
Meeting later with former Kurdish political party DEP leader Leyla Zana, Barzani spoke more guardedly, calling Zana the "symbolic hyacinth of the Kurds" in Turkey. Explaining why Zana had paid him a visit in Northern Iraq, Barzani said "We met because of Zana's role in Turkey. She let us know that they are in support of the progress of the Kurdish people here, and of our aim in finding solutions to our problems."