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Turkey
warned the International Iraq Conference that the
"reckless behavior" in Kerkuk (Kirkuk) must end.
Turkish Foreign Minister, Abdullah Gul told
conference in attendees Sharm Al-Sheikh, Egypt
yesterday: "We have seen oppression applied in some
Iraqi cities to change the demographic structure.
These activities that will damage the goal of
structuring an independent and united Iraq should be
abandoned immediately.
" Gul also expressed Turkey's concerns about Kirkuk
and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in a meeting
with US Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. Powell
said the US has been negotiating with all the groups
on this issue and that it is urging them to end
activities that harm the ultimate goal. Powell
agreed that all the relevant parties must remain
committed to this effort.
The Iraq Conference ended yesterday with a joint
declaration. The most striking part of the bulletin
was a reference to United Nations (UN) Security
Council resolution 1546. According to articles 2 and
4 of the declaration, occupying forces are supposed
to leave Iraq after the political transformation has
been completed in the country.
The declaration also says the summit of Iraq's
neighboring countries initiated by Turkey serves the
best interests of the Iraqi people and the region
and that dialogue is the key to resolving the issues
in Iraq.
Regarding the Iraqi election, the declaration
signifies that the UN will send more observers to
the elections. It asserts that a meeting should be
held among all anti-terrorist groups prior to the
elections in January. The insurgence was not clearly
condemned in the declaration.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Musa spoke at the
Conference to ask for a national reconciliation
meeting and a ceasefire in Iraq. Bahrain presented a
proposal to host a meeting attended by all the Iraqi
groups, but Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari
said that although they appreciate the offer, it
would be more appropriate for such a meeting to be
held in Iraq.
Zebari announced at a press conference held after
the Conference that postponement of the election is
impossible.
http://www.zaman.com
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