By VOA News
Jalal Talabani
(File photo) |
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani says a long-term
security deal under negotiation between Iraq and the United States will not pose
a threat to Iraq's neighbors.In an
interview Friday with VOA's Kurdish service in Washington, Mr. Talabani said
Iraq's relations have never been as good as they are with other countries. He
said he hopes all Iraqi groups understand the importance of the security deal
with the United States.
The security pact would permit U.S. forces to
remain in Iraq beyond December 31, when their U.N. mandate expires.
Mr. Talabani also told VOA that Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Baghdad next month, and that there will
be a bilateral agreement. He said Iraqi Kurds and Turkey have improved relations
following recent meetings in Baghdad, Iraqi Kurdistan and London.
Mr. Talabani has been in the United States this
week, and reports say he underwent medical treatment. He met with President Bush
at the White House on Wednesday.
