ANKARA - Officials from Turkey, the United States, United Nations (U.N.) and Iraq met on Wednesday in Ankara for a second time as a part of the process of return of refugees of Turkish origin living in Iraq to Turkey.
In the meeting, participants worked on preparing a written text on main principles set in the first meeting held in November 2003.
Participants exchanged views on 27 items of agenda and tried to overcome problems in complying the common agreement to be reached with Turkish laws.
Sources said that efforts could continue that night and in coming days.
Concerned parties would sign the agreement after they reached a compromise, the sources noted.
Turkey prefers to choose a method in which ratification of the president will be necessary for putting the agreement on voluntary return of about 13 thousand refugees in Iraq, especially Turkish citizens in Mahmur camp, into practice.
The sources said that concerned parties would initial the agreement after reaching a compromise.
The agreement would be put into effect after it was ratified by the president, the sources stated.
The sources noted that some arrangements should be made so that people who returned to Turkey should not be treated as a deserter, could benefit from Reassociation Law if they had committed any crime, and could be settled down in better places when compared with places they were living in Iraq.
Foreign Ministry's Director General for Multi-Lateral Political Affairs Daryal Batibay represented Turkey in the meetings.
U.S. State Department Asistant Secretary for population, refugees and migration Arthur Dewey, U.N. Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees Kamel Morjane and Iraqi Interim Governing Council's Minister of Expatriates and Immigrants Muhammad Jasim Khadir attended the meeting.
Morjane did not attend afternoon session of the meeting and departed from Ankara.
(BRC) 21.01.2004