04/05/2012 16:12

ERBIL, May 4 (AKnews)- Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani stated he does not fear the F16 fighter jets that Baghdad government is purchasing rather he fears that the blood of sons of Iraq is shed once again unjustly.

Barzani's statement was made during the first conference of the Arab Assembly for the Success of Kurdish Cause in Erbil. The two-day conference began today at the presence of 120 personalities from Iraq, the US, Australia, Lebanon, Canada and Egypt.

In his statement President Barzani first hoped the conference be successful, indicating the event is held while Iraq is undergoing a "very sensitive" phase.

He reminded the audience that on such a day in 1966 the then Iraqi regime used all the available weapons to attack Kurdistan where the blood of the Arab and Kurdish fighters, especially members of communist parties, mixed together in Ruwanduz.

In this war despite all its power the Iraqi army was defeated and crushed, Barzani said, and the victory was for Kurdistan nation, Iraqi nation and Kurdish and Arab fighters.

"Today also we hear some voices from here and there that they[ Iraqi army] want to attack Kurdistan, but you today in this conference want to counter these threats."

The subjects for the discussion in the conference include Kurds and Arabs inside the Arab countries, Kurd and Arab relations in the official national frame of Iraq and the assembly and its significance.

The Kurdish struggle for its rights in four parts of Kurdistan and political Islam are the other topics for presentation and discussion in the conference.

As for the settlement of the issues in Iraq, Barzani said "our strategy is clear; which is we have chosen forgiveness rather than retaliation.

"We demand that instead of threats and arms the issues be settled through dialog… We are not afraid of fighter jets and F16s but we fear that once again the blood of the sons of Iraq be shed unjustifiably.

Barzani voiced concerns over the "return of a culture which regards the language of canons and jets as the solution of issues."

Kurdistan president underlined the role intellectuals in settling democracy, federalism and pluralism in Kurdistan.

"We depend on your pens for defending the truth and pointing to it… for defending the rights of Kurds…. at the same time if we had a shortcoming [you should] notify us."