Talabani: "Both Baghdad and the regional N.Iraqi administration are concerned about the PKK"

Both the Iraqi government and the regional administration in northern Iraq are concerned about the terrorist PKK's activities, said Iraqi President Jalal Talabani yesterday. Speaking to CNN Turk, Talabani said that several Kurdish groups continue to urge the terrorist PKK to lay down its arms. Stressing that all Kurdish groups should explain to the terrorist PKK that the era of armed struggle is over, he claimed that if certain conditions are met, the PKK will lay down its arms. Asked about the possibility of Turkey issuing a general amnesty for terrorists, he said, "I can't interfere in Turkey's domestic affairs. I'm not in a position to tell Turkey to do this or that. This decision is up to our Turkish brothers." He also expressed regret that President Abdullah Gul had been forced to postpone a visit to Iraq due to health problems.