"The office of his Excellency President Jalal Talabani issued the following Clarification: During President Jalal Talabani’s attendance the second session of the Socialist International Congress in Greece Athens, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas presented Ehud Barak, the President of Israeli Labor Party to shake hands with President Mam Jalal. The Presidency office wishes to emphasize that president Talabani who responded to President Abbas request, he dealt with the matter as the Secretary General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Vice President of the Socialist International (IS) not as the President of the Republic of Iraq. What had happened is a social civilized conduct and doesn’t hold any other explanation. Also it doesn’t establish any contradicted stance to Iraq’ policy and attitudes concerning its support to the Palestinian Question." (thanks Armin)