ORSAM Events, 4 June 2010
In his speech, Barzani reiterated his commitment to nonviolence and the unity of Iraq. When asked about the PKK and cooperative counter-terrorism efforts between Iraq and Turkey he gave no direct answer, instead praising the Turkish government's largely undefined and ineffective 'Kurdish opening' policy. Mr. Barzani stated that the Iraqi Kurds would not ally themselves with the Shias in any attempt to politically marginalize the Sunnis, or vice versa. He offered no information on the planned free trade zone between Turkey and the KRG.
