TURKISH PREMIER’S CONCERN

ArmRadio.am
11.01.2007 16:16

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed concern that
the scenario used in Nagorno Karabakh might repeat in Kirkuki (Northern
Iraq) – " what has been done should be adopted," reports Mediamax.

The Turkish Prime Minister said this during the sitting of the
"Justice and Development" Party, commenting on Ankara’s position on
the referendum on the status of Kirkuki.

Erdoghan said that "just as the Azerbaijani community was expelled
from native lands, the Iraqi Kurds are expelling Turkmen for the
purpose of declaring Kirkuki the capital of the so-called Kurdistan."

"Turkey will not sit around twiddling her thumbs. Results of such a
referendum are unacceptable, since the demographic map of Northern
Iraq should no be changed forcefully," said Erdogan, noting that the
status of Kirkuki should be determined through negotiations between
all ethnic groups residing in Northern Iraq.