Turkey warning the return of fears with the Federation

Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul sent a strong warning to the Kurds of Iraq, over the massive demonstration took place in the city of Karkouk demanding the annexation of the city to the Kurdistan district, in the course of promoting a federation governing Iraq. The warning coincided with clashes between Arab and Kurd students who differed on Tuesday over hoisting the Iraqi flag at the end of year celebrations at the university.

In a speech before the Turkish parliament on Monday evening, Gul said commenting on the federation project, which was proposed by the Kurdish members in the Interim Council in Iraq several days ago, warning "if wrong measures are taken in Iraq, and if measures are taken that violate the territorial and political unity of Iraq, this means the beginning of a new grave deterioration in Iraq."

Gul added that measures of that this will cause "once again sufferings and tears." In remarks to the demands of the Kurds of Karjouk, to restore back their houses and properties confiscated by the former regime, Gul said that "the attempt to change the demographic situation of Iraq especially in Karkouk is a very dangerous measure. And we have warned everyone against that."