WASHINGTON - Turkey will express its uneasiness about the north of Iraq during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the United States between January 25 and 30, 2004, and Erdogan will tell U.S. President George W. Bush that Kirkuk has never been a Kurdish city by explaining historical realities.
Developments in Iraq would be one of the main issues which the Turkish side would focus on during Erdogan-Bush meeting.
Erdogan is expected to express Ankara's uneasiness on claims of Iraqi Kurdish groups about oil reserves of Kirkuk and northern Iraq as well as their request for a broad autonomy.
The Turkish side will express that Kirkuk had never been a Kurdish city in any period of history on the contrary to the claims of Iraqi Kurds, and that Turkmens had majority in this city.
The Turkish side will also express that all assets of Iraqi cities belonged to Iraqi people and that a single group could not claim ownership to those.
Turkey's views on the position of different groups and future structure of Iraq will be conveyed and Turkey's uneasiness about the existence of PKK terrorist organization in Iraq will be expressed.
Iraq and Cyprus issues, Afghanistan, fight against terrorism, NATO summit to be held in Istanbul in June, Middle East peace process, Caucasia, Armenia, Azerbaijan issues, bilateral economic and commercial issues will be taken up during Erdogan-Bush meeting and other contacts.
Meanwhile, Erdogan will meet with the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan during World Economic Forum in Davos on Saturday and then he is expected to meet with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas. Following these meetings Erdogan will go to the United States and positive steps are expected to be taken about efforts of finding a solution to Cyprus issue during his meetings in the United States.
Syria and Iran issues within the scope of Middle East peace process will be brought onto agenda during meetings of Erdogan.
Erdogan will give information about the visit of Syrian President Bashar al-Asad to Turkey.
(GC-AY) 22.01.2004