Allawi to visit Syria and Iran shortly, the Turkish army warns the Kurds, again
Iraq-Syria, Politics, 7/9/2004

The Turkish army has warned the Kurds of Iraq against the consequences of attempting to change the people's demography in Karkouk, renewing its call on the US to chase the fighters of the Kurdistani Labor Party in northern Iraq, considering that Washington has not succeeded in meeting Ankara's demands to this effect.

Meantime, a spokesman for the Iraqi government said that its chairman Eyad Allawi will pay a visit to Iran, Syria and Kuwait in the framework of a tour in the region " within the coming days" and will also head to London and Brussels.

The spokesman explained that Allawi's tour will also cover Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as well as " other countries" adding that Allawi will not make his tour at one time.

Meantime, the assistant for the Turkish army chief of staff Gen. Elker Basbough said in an implicit remark to the Kurds of Iraq that " ethnical groups are seeking to change the demographic structure in Karkouk at a time when measures are taken to establish peace in Iraq." He added " we expect the provisional Iraqi government will prevent that," noting the failure in having a " just and durable solution" for Karkouk's situation constitutes a threat for the geographical and political unity of Iraq."

Basbourgh warned that such a development will create great concern in Turkey on the security of the region. On the other hand, Basbourgh warned that the Turkish army will keep its forces positioned in north Iraq as far as the activists of the Kurdistani Labor party are in the region. He said " it is clear that the US has not so far succeeded in taking any effective measure against those terrorists and satisfy our expectations."

Previous Stories:
  Khaddam confers with Iraqi tribal delegation   (7/1/2004)
  Syria's statement over the authority turnover to Iraqis   (6/29/2004)
  Khaddam confers with Iraqi delegation on developments   (5/21/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search