ANTALYA - Turkmen Unity and Solidarity Foundation Chairman Fuat Turkmen said on Saturday Turkmens living in Turkey were uneasy about developments in the north of Iraq.
Turkmen told A.A correspondent that Kurds were struggling for 605 years to form a state in the north of Iraq.
Turkmens were almost pushed into a position of minority even in Kirkuk, where mainly Turkmens were living, Turkmen said.
Turkmen noted, ''we exerted big efforts for a census. They did not want any census since they understood that they would lose. Recent developments foresee that Turkmens should be forced to leave the region in time. Turkish Republic should deal with this issue.''
Turkmens living in the region were given the right to speak under the Lausanne Treaty, Turkmen recalled.
Turkmen said, ''nobody has reminded us our position so far. However, Barzani has started to mention south Kurdistan state in Iraq. It is seen that north Kurdistan will be formed near border of Turkey.''
Claiming that European countries pushed Turkey into a very difficult situation, Turkmen said that Turkey was made unable to do anything as claims like Cyprus, north of Iraq and Armenian issues were continuously brought onto agenda.
Turkmen allegedly said that Turkish Republic refrained from assuming a clear attitude towards status of Turkmens.
''How does Turkey see us? It should clarify whether we are kinsmen, religious friends or other people. We haven't recorded any progress with round words but Kurds and Arabs were openly supported by their guardians,'' Turkmen said.
Turkmen stated that they did not have any other friend than Turkey and said that ''either Turkey would support them or they would be annihilated.''
Claiming that Kurdish groups in the region were getting prepared to make Turkmens leave Kirkuk, Turkmen asked the Foreign Ministry to intervene in developments as soon as possible.
(BRC-AY) 27.12.2003