APRIL 2007

President Talabani of Kurds

President Jalal Talabani has called on all to stop meddling in his country's internal affairs and help the country restore peace and stability, Kuwait's official KUNA news agency reported on Saturday.

"I know who does intervene in Iraqi internal affairs and who does not, but it is not in Iraq's interests at present to name the interveners lest I should pour oil on fire," the president said in an interview to be carried by the local daily al-Anbaa on Sunday.

In the interview during his visit to Damascus, Syria, he voiced hope to Kuwaiti media that the new Iraq would play "a positive role in cementing Arab solidarity and genuine regional cooperation based on respect for sovereignty and independence of all neighbors. "

The Iraqi government would work to erase all "unfounded and illogical" claims that "Kuwait is a part of Iraq," he said, noting that "Iraq acknowledged Kuwait as a sovereign, independent Arab country with internationally-recognized borders."

Iraq and Kuwait have to establish best relations and provide a model for state-to-state ties, particularly ties among Arab countries, he said.

Concerning results of his week-long visit to Syria, he said that he found Syrian leaders had "a sincere desire for the rise of Iraq as a secure, stable and prosperous country."

Talabani is Iraq's first head of state to visit Syria in nearly three decades.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi president hailed a new plan of U.S. President George W. Bush for maintaining stability in Iraq.

The plan relies on the Iraqi government and Iraqi forces, Talabani said, adding that "security in Iraq is our responsibility. "

Source: Xinhua

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday extended his best wishes to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in a telephone conversation as the latter has suffered from extreme exhaustion and dehydration.

"I pray to God to bestow health upon you," Ahmadinejad was quoted as telling Talabani, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported.

The Iranian president hailed the significant role Talabani had played in the campaign against the Iraqi dictatorship and the victory of the Iraqi nation to develop democracy and freedom, IRNA said.

For his part, Talabani thanked his Iranian counterpart for his kind remarks and called for developing cooperation between the two nations given their current brotherly relations.

Talabani's office said on Monday that tests on the Iraqi president in neighboring Jordan showed that he has suffered from extreme exhaustion and dehydration but his health is normal and stable.

"The tests showed that his excellency was suffering from fatigue, that caused him to loss a lot of liquids from his body," his office said in a statement.

The statement also said the condition of the president is "normal and stable."

"The first results of the medical tests showed that his condition is completely normal and stable. There is no reason to worry," it said.

"His vital and basic parts are all in good condition," the statement said, adding that Talabani will do more medical tests to make sure of the details of his health.

"His excellency is in high spirits and fully conscious and communicates normally with others," it added.

On Sunday night, Talabani's office said in a statement that the 73-year-old Kurdish leader had left to Amman to undergo medical tests.

Source: Xinhua

Jordan's King Abdullah II Monday called on the Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who is currently at Al Hussein Medical Center in Amman for medical treatment.

According to Jordan's Petra news agency, Abdullah checked on Talabani's health and wished his speedy recovery.

The king also instructed the center to provide the best medical service to the Iraqi president.

Talabani arrived in Jordan late Sunday for extensive examination after falling ill on Saturday while attending a conference in Suleimaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan.

Earlier in the day, Iraqi ambassador to Jordan, Saad al-Hayyani, said Talabani is now "in stable condition."

The ambassador said Talabani have had medical tests to determine the cause of his illness and there will be no need for him to be transferred to the U.S. or anywhere else for treatment.

In the meantime, a top Iraqi official was quoted by other media as reporting that Talabani was in good spirits after being hospitalized in Jordan and would be back in Baghdad soon.

Source: Xinhua