ANKARA - Former President Suleyman Demirel has said, ''the last six months in Iraq, which seemed to be unsuccessful, have encouraged terrorists. Recent bombings in Istanbul are the consequences of this.''
Demirel received on Saturday Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) Chairman Faruk Abdullah Abdurrahman and the accompanying delegation.
Speaking at the meeting, Demirel said, ''the United States should have thought about likely consequences of its operation against Iraq. Now, the United States should complete its works in Iraq. If it withdraws from Iraq now before completing the reconstruction process, it will lead to a 50-year turmoil in the Middle East.''
''The last six months following overthrow of Saddam Hussein seemed to be unsuccessful. It has encouraged terrorists. Recent bombings in Istanbul are the consequences of this. The United States and Britain, as coalition forces, have failed to settle tranquility and stability in Iraq. They should keep their promises. Settlement of peace and stability in the region and formation of a democratic state in Iraq were among their promises. As you know, formation of a new Iraqi government is of vital importance. According to my point of view, a federation should be formed in Iraq on the basis of geographical factors instead of ethnical elements,'' he said.
Demirel kept on saying, ''following collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Mosul was remained outside borders of the Republic of Turkey. If Mosul had been remained within borders of Republic of Turkey, we would have not experienced current problems. On the other hand, Kirkuk was handed over to Britons with a fait accompli. Again, if Kirkuk had been included in Turkish borders, current problems in the region would have not emerged.''
Noting that Baghdad regime had been following a different policy towards Turkmen people since the very beginning, Demirel said that Iraq had chosen a policy to disperse and silence Turkmen people.
Pointing out that Turkmen people had been exposed to atrocity for years, Demirel said, ''they wanted to deprive Turkmen people of their rights due to Turkey's support to them.''
(UK) 23.11.2003