Celebi: We Have Been Supporting Federation Proposal Of Kurds

WASHINGTON D.C. - Iraqi Governing Council member Ahmed Celebi has said that they had been supporting the federation proposal of Kurds, however, new Iraq should remain as a whole.
Responding questions of the A.A. correspondent, Celebi, who is currently in Washington D.C., the United States, said, ''we have been supporting the federation proposal of Kurds. We want Iraq to be a united state on basis of federal structure.''
Referring to Turkey's concerns about status of Kirkuk, Celebi told the A.A correspondent, ''we understand Turkey's concerns since we are also concerned about status of Kirkuk. Nevertheless, I believe that the issue of Kirkuk can be resolved. We want to hold talks with Turkish officials over Turkey's concerns about Kirkuk. We should co-operate with Turkey to resolve this issue.''
Celebi stressed that they wanted to assure Turkey that both Turkmens and Arabs would benefit from all political rights in new Iraq.
Noting that they attributed great importance to relations with Turkey, Celebi said, ''Turkey is a Muslim country ruled democratically. We want to set up the possible best relations with Turkey.''
Upon a question about the terrorist organization PKK, Celebi said, ''we will not tolerate any acts of terrorism against Turkey. We will expend all kinds of efforts to sign a security agreement with Turkey in order to prevent an act of terrorism.''
Referring to existing economic relations between Turkey and Iraq, Celebi told the A.A correspondent, ''we aim at further improving these relations. We are grateful to Turkey for its assistance following the war.''
At a meeting he attended in Washington D.C., Celebi said that the Kurds should remain as part of a united Iraq.
Noting that the Kurds had been victims of 'state terrorism' and even 'state genocide' in Iraq after 1958, Celebi said, ''today, the Kurds have direct relations with the United States. They have their own budget, well-processing administration and cultural rights. They should unite with Iraq and become a part of Iraq. This is our proposal.''
Celebi added that the Kurds could preserve their existing rights in northern Iraq as part of government of new Iraq.
(UK-MS) 24.01.2004