Jalal Talabani, the President of Iraq, came to speak at the Cambridge Union this afternoon.

Security for the talk was tight, with name checks prior to the event, metal detectors, x-ray machines and body searches on entering the building, random bag searches inside the building and an assortment of police, Special Branch, armed Iraqi guards and snipers atop St. John's Chapel.

Much of his talk was a personal biography, focusing on his early political career and communist activities. This pre-prepared amuse bouche, which deviated little from his Wikipedia profile, was followed by a much more insightful hour-long question & answer session.

Jalal Talabani is an intelligent and affable man. His down to earth style contrasted with the combative and grandiose nature of Ahmed Chalabi, who spoke here last October. During his talk, he made a number of jokes, including one about George Bush and another about sex.

He is a careful politician and avoided comment on controversial issues. Responding to a question likening China's occupation of Tibet with Saddam Hussein's occupation of Kurdistan: "I am against all forms of occupation". When asked about last summer's war between Israel and Lebanon: "I am against all forms of violence". In both cases, he resolutely refused to comment on the countries concerned. Equally, he refused to be drawn on Iraq's relations with any of her neighbours.

However, he was happy to speak at length about issues he felt important directly to Iraq. Asked whether Iraq is getting enough financial support from the US, he replied: "From the United States, yes, but we are not getting enough support from our brothers, Arab countries". When asked when US and UK forces should leave Iraq, he responded "I think in one or two years we will be able to recruit our own army forces and say goodbye to our friends".