DAMASCUS, Syria, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Tension in relations between Syria and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan led by Jalal Talabani who heads Iraq's Governing Council are easing, reports said.
"Contacts between the two sides are returning to normal and matters are being calmed down," Damascus-based PUK sources told UPI.
Tension with Jalal Talabani, regarded as Syria's closest Kurdish Iraqi ally, was triggered by a declaration of Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa hinting that Kurds, Israelis and the U.S. benefited the most from the ouster of the Iraqi regime. Talabani retorted by accusing Syria of turning a blind eye to the crossing of Arab volunteers through its territory into Iraq to carry out terrorist attacks.
A scheduled visit by Talabani to Damascus last week was canceled at the last minute upon Syria's request, but efforts are ongoing to ease tension and clear misunderstandings, according to PUK sources.
The sources said a PUK delegation visited Syrian President Bashar Assad two days ago and discussed "means for calming down spirits and paving the ground for the delayed visit."
