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Here is the full text of the interview:

Gulf News: What role will the Kurds play in a U.S.-led war on Iraq?

Barzani: We believe that our role will start after the regime change. Our role will be to preserve and protect the stability and security of the new regime, as indicated in the statement issued at the end of the Iraqi opposition conference held in London last month. We came to this agreement as the representatives of the Iraqi people, and with the approval of the United States.

There have been reports of troops setting up military installations in Harir, northeast of Arbil. What is going on?
(Laughs) It is actually very strange. The situation is rapidly developing in such a way that any move we make is subject to misinterpretation. Harir is a good place for training and manoeuvres, but whenever we organise the training of our forces over there, it is interpreted differently. People think they are foreign forces, while they are, in fact, our own forces. If people here in the region do not believe it, how can I expect you to believe it? The troops in Harir belong to our force.

There have also been reports that Iraqi troops have crossed the line to occupy Kurdish villages in the Bashtapa area, beyond the Kushtapa checkpoint. Is this a cause for concern?
We don't have concrete information about this matter, but we know that the area is a part of Baghdad's programme. People have been brought over to replace the local inhabitants. In many cases, these people, who are involved in cultivation and agriculture, have prevented local farmers from continuing their work over there. Sometimes, there have been problems. We will definitely support and defend our farmers because we are against this policy. As I said, we have not received any serious reports about this. But whenever there is any transgression, we will defend our people.

On Tuesday, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz threatened that Iraq would attack any government, which helps the U.S. pursue its plan against the Baghdad regime. Are you worried they may target areas under Kurdish rule?
Tareq Aziz and everybody else knows that no government can stop the Americans from reaching any goal. Having said that, no attack will be made from Kurdish-controlled areas.

Sania Rasoul, 50-year-old Kurdish widow, stands in her house in the village of Pirdawad. She is one of many widows helped by the Al Amal (Hope) Association. @Gulf News 2003
Do you support a war?
We are not in favour of a war. If there were any other means to achieve the same goal, we would rather that. A war is an unfortunate event. Whenever any lives are lost, it is tragic.

What would it take for the Kurds to play an active part in a U.S.-led war against Baghdad?
We are not thinking of participating in the war because we are focusing on the day after the regime change. It would be very difficult for us to take part in this war for several reasons. We don't intend to move our troops outside of Kurdish-ruled areas, and within this region, there are no targets for us to hit.


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