Kurdistan: Turkish Envoy in Baghdad Meets with Leader Barzani
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
Source: Hurriyet