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CNN World Report

Thousands Remember Kurdish Leader

Aired June 17, 2001 - 14:04   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: Representatives from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council have concluded talks on easing sanctions against Iraq. Among the issues discussed in Paris were the two no-fly zones protecting Kurds and Shiites in Northern and Southern Iraq. The plight of Iraq's Kurds has been in the international spotlight since the 1990 Persian Gulf War, but the Kurdish liberation movement began long before that.

Kurdistan Television, a new contributor to CNN WORLD REPORT, brings us this rare footage of one of the most prominent figures behind the movement.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ADNAN YOUSEF, KURDISTAN TV REPORTER (voice-over): The story of the Kurdish liberation movement is mostly the story of the great Kurdish leader Mulla Mustafa Barzani. This great leader, who was born in 1903 in Barzan village in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, is considered the most prominent leader in the Kurdish liberation movement.

He was jailed in Iraq with his mother when he was three years old. That was the beginning of his struggle. He supported or led many Kurdish uprisings. In 1945, he went to Iran to take part in following and supporting the new republic of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Mahabad.

After the collapse of this republic in 1947, he lead about 500 of his fighters and narrowly escaped to Russia. In 1958, he returned back to Iraq, and he was received by the Iraqi people and the president at that time as a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) leader.

In 1961, when the regime of Iraq did not recognize the Kurdish rights, Barzani led a revolution until 1975 in Kurdistan of Iraq. This revolution was collapsed also when Iran and Iraq signed an agreement in Algeria.

In 1975, Barzani passed away in the U.S.A. and buried in Kurdistan of Iran.

This great figure became one of most famous and successful leaders in the Kurdish history. His ascension of leadership marked a new stage in the Kurdish national liberation movement, which was suffering from the absence of united leadership. He led his people in their struggle for freedom for 50 years. His success was viewed as political and military experience, to his wise thinking, his love and his loyalty to his people regardless of their nation including Kurds, Assyrians, Turkmans (ph), and regardless of their religion, whether Muslims, Christians or (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

Following the end of the Gulf War in 1991, a safe-haven was created for the Kurds in Kurdistan of Iraq by the allied forces. His mortal remains were returned back to Kurdistan of Iraq and welcomed warmly by the people of Kurdistan. Every year on the 1st of March, thousands of people pay visits to his grave and pray for his soul.

His grave is attracted by all Kurdistan people due to his love and long struggle for the sake of his people. Barzani will stay forever as a symbol of a great united leadership and one of leading political figures of the 20th century.

This is Adnan Yousef for Kurdistan TV for CNN WORLD REPORT.

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