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It has been revealed
that Turkey's Special Envoy to Iraq, Oguz Celikkol,
met with Kurdistan Regional President Massoud
Barzani over the weekend to pass on important
messages from Turkey. Sources say that the bulk of
Celikkol's meeting with Barzani focused on the
Kurdish Regional Authority based in Kirkuk, as well
as the growing sectarian violence across Iraq.
Barzani met with Celikkol in his official capacity
as "President of Iraqi Kurdistan"
Turkey slated to recognize "Regional Kurdish
Authority" soon
Part of Celikkol's message to Barzani was that
Turkey would officially recognize the "Regional
Kurdish Authority" following the implementation of
the new Iraqi Constitution by the country's
parliament, and also in the wake of a four month
period during which certain changes may be affected
in said constitution. A top level Ankara official
explained this part of the message as follows:
"We are required to accept a constitution which has
been accepted by the Iraqis. Like other
international societies, we too will recognize
structures and organizations which are laid out in
the Iraqi Constitution. And as for the four month
period, there are not many changes expected in the
Constitution anyway."
On the subjects of terror and security, it planned
that Ankara will be primary contact with central
government in Baghdad, although sources insist "this
does not represent a blockade to one on one contacts
between Ankara and local regional governments within
Iraq."
Celikkol warns: sectarian violence in Kirkuk very
dangerous
Noteably, Celikkol issued a warning to Barzani from
Turkey on the subject of Kirkuk. Pointing at growing
sectarian violence within Iraq, Celikkol stressed
that a similar situation in the Kirkuk area would be
extremely dangerous, and underlined the necessity of
maintaining ethnic balance in Kirkuk. Within this
framework, Celikkol expressed to Barzani the
importance of agreement among the ethnic Turkmen,
Arap, and Kurdish population in the region.
www.hurriyet.com.tr
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