ANKARA (A.A) - 02.08.2002 - Barham Salah, the top official of the area controlled by Patriotic Union of Iraqi Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani said on Friday that they did not want a dictator to be replaced with another.
Salah met with Foreign Affairs Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal.
Addressing journalists following the meeting, Salah said that the meeting had focused on recent developments in Iraq and in Northern Iraq.
Salah told reporters that civilians should not be harmed in a possible military operation against Iraq.
Responding a question, Salah said, ''we have not received any clear information about a possible operation. We learn these things from the press. We have been fighting for democracy in Iraq for years. Our confidence in a democratic transition in the country, is more than ever.''
When asked whether or not Turkish Foreign Affairs Ministry brought its concerns about an independent Kurdish state onto agenda of the meeting, Salah said that the issue was not taken up at the meeting.
''We do not have any requests from the United States. I will pay a visit to the United States to hold consultations with American government institutions,'' he said.
Noting that they explain their view about a possible operation during the meetings to be held in the United States, Salah said, ''we want a democratic Iraq. We do not want a dictator to be replaced with another. We have some serious political concerns about our future.''
Responding a question about Turcomen, Salah said that Turcomen should take place in meetings to be held about future of their country.
Salah will attend a meeting to be held in the United States with the participation of Iraqi opponents, after wrapping up his contacts in Ankara.