Iraqi politician says Turkey should play role in Iraq

06 May 2010, Thursday.

An Iraqi politician said during a news conference with the Turkish foreign minister on Tuesday that Iraq believes Turkey should play a significant role in fighting terrorism and creating stability in Iraq.

Iraqi Front for National Dialogue leader Saleh al-Mutlaq made the comments during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu following a bilateral meeting on Tuesday.

Speaking during the press conference, al-Mutlaq said Turkey has always stood by Iraq in dire times. Mentioning the rallies during the invasion of Iraq and the rejection of the March 1 proposal in Parliament in 2003 that would have allowed the American military to use Turkish territory as a route into Iraq, al-Mutlaq said they will never forget these situations.

Al-Mutlaq also stated that Turkey is an example in the region on how to govern a country and that they attach importance to Turkey's experiences. He added that they believe Turkey needs to play a significant role in providing peace in Iraq, fighting terrorism and establishing stability. He also stated that Turkey's policy in national unity regardless of sectarian differences is a "real viewpoint" and that this will serve the stability of both Turkey and the region.

Claiming that the terrorist acts only bring "evil" to the region, al-Mutlaq said he condemns terrorism and called on all countries to cooperate in fighting terrorism. When asked what they expect from Turkey in a coalition-forming process in Iraq, al-Mutlaq said Turkey invites all political parties to Turkey and holds consultations with them. "We believe Turkey can play a positive role that unites and bring differences closer. Turkey has never intervened in the domestic affairs of Iraq. For this reason, Turkey has earned the respect of all political groups in Iraq. We thus want Turkey to play a role," the Iraqi politician said.

Speaking about the details of his meeting with the visiting politician, Davutoğlu said they discussed the situation after the March 7 elections in Iraq. Noting that Turkey has always attached great importance in forming a parliament and government that will contribute to the stability of Iraq, Davutoğlu said the Iraqiyya list has been successful in the election and that al-Mutlaq contributed to holding the election with ease despite efforts to exclude him from the electoral process.

Davutoğlu also mentioned that there will be an Iraqi government that will contribute to the stability of Iraq and establish good relations with neighboring countries, particularly Turkey, adding that Turkey will continue its efforts within this framework and pursue meetings regarding this. "Turkey considers peace, security and stability of Iraqi brothers as its own peace and stability. While doing this, Turkey does not distinguish between Basra and Mosul, Baghdad and Arbil," Davutoğlu said.

Also during the conference, the Turkish foreign minister mentioned that there is no scheduled date for a visit by Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani and that the visit will take place at an "appropriate time."

Stating that he dispatched Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioğlu to Arbil last week to hand the invitation of the Turkish government to the leader of the Kurdish regional administration, Barzani, Davutoğlu said they would like to see Barzani in Turkey.

Zaman
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