ANKARA - Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) representative Barham Saleh said on Monday that problems on security of the region should be left to Iraqi people and stated that neighboring countries' dispatch of soldiers to Iraq would be beneficial for neither Iraq nor those countries.
Saleh replied to questions on NTV private channel.
Upon questions on process of Turkey's sending soldiers to Iraq, Saleh said that the less the number of foreign soldiers in Iraq was, the better the situation in Iraq would be. Saleh said that thus, transfer of sovereignty to Iraqi people would be easier and stated that he considered that there was a common target on that issue with Turkey.
Stating that Turkey was of great importance for Iraq, Saleh said that Turkey would play a key role in formation of a stable and democratic Iraq.
Saleh said that they were in a process of forming a nation and stated that threats stemming from security should be coped with Iraqi people and that local powers should be given priority in settlement of security in the country.
Saleh said that Iraqi security forces should be trained and those forces should defend their country.
Stating that American, Turkish or any soldiers could be exposed to attacks in the region, Saleh said that responsibility to ensure security in the region should be given to themselves. He stated that the situation would be more difficult in the region if more number of soldiers were to be included in the process.
Saleh said that entrance of Turkish soldiers or soldiers from other countries could harm security and political environment and stated that it could be against the interests of Iraqi people and Turkey.
Stating that neighboring countries' sending soldiers to Iraq would be beneficial for neither Iraq nor neighboring countries, he said that when they were forming democratic system, they wanted to use Turkey's secular model as advantage.
Saleh said that Turkey's support should be political and economic and stated that it should not be included in processes which could harm security and political environment.
Stating that nothing should be made except request of Iraqi people, Saleh said that all neighbors should respect demands of Iraqi people.
Saleh said that their territories should not be used in a way that could cause threats for the neighboring countries and stated that they wanted peace with their neighbors.
Saleh said that he would have some meetings in Foreign Ministry today and added that they would bring onto agenda opening of Turkish consulates in Irbil and Sulaymaniyah.
(EÖ-BRC) 06.10.2003