ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that incidents which occurred after demonstrations of Iraqi Turkmens for their constitutional rights should not be exaggerated.
Gul replied to the questions of reporters after he signed condolence book opened in Macedonian Embassy in Ankara for Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski.
When Gul was reminded that incidents occurred after the demonstrations Turkmens held for their constitutional rights and Turkmen offices were raided in Iraq, Gul said those should not be exaggerated.
Stating that they were following the developments closely, Gul said, ''Turkmens, after getting permission, held several demonstrations to make their voice heard. Some incidents happened after the demonstrations, but those should not be exaggerated. Without exaggerating the incidents, those people should get used to live together. They will live together just as they have done so far. They are going through a period when arrangements that protect rights of everybody will be made. Everybody should be careful.''
Gul said temporary constitutional draft in Iraq has not yet become definite, noting that there were still several disagreements.
(AY-AÖ) 01.03.2004