Hussein appeals to Kurds in northern Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi President Saddam Hussein called on Kurds in their northern Iraq autonomous region to kick out ''spies'' and to engage in dialogue with Baghdad.

Speaking on Iraqi Television, Hussein said his government has so far left the northern area alone to let the Kurds solve their own problems.

Hussein told Kurds that when they are ready, they should sit down with the Baghdad government and prevent what he called ''foreigners and spies'' from dividing Iraq.

Northern Iraq has been outside Baghdad's control since the end of the 1991 Gulf war. U.S. and British jets enforce a no-fly zone over the area, to keep Iraqi forces out.