BAGHDAD, Jan 16 (AFP) Iraq and the Kurdish factions which have controlled the north
 of the country in defiance of Baghdad for almost a decade are still in dialogue despite their
 differences, a senior official said Tuesday.

 "The dialogue between the Iraqi leadership and the main Kurdish parties in the north has never
 been cut off, despite our reservations over much of their policies and their positions," said foreign
 ministry undersecretary Nizar Hamdoun.

 Iraq wants "to pursue the dialogue with these parties," he said, quoted in Al-Rafidain newspaper.

 But the embargo, the western-imposed no-fly zone over Iraqi Kurdistan and frequent US-British
 air strikes "have up until now prevented the normalisation of the situation," he said.

 "Once circumstances allow, I am convinced Iraq will be capable of normalising the situation."

 Two rival factions, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Kurdistan Democratic Party, have held
 northern Iraq since 1991 following Baghdad's defeat in the Gulf War over Kuwait.

 Although part of the fragmented Iraqi opposition, they have criticised US efforts to overthrow
 President Saddam Hussein.
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The Kurdistan Observer
www.kurdistanobserver.com