ISTANBUL - Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said on Monday that mandate of international force in Iraq depended on the developments which Iraqi people and the new government would record.
Zebari, currently in Turkey to attend the 31st Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Foreign Ministers' Conference, replied to questions of A.A correspondent.
Zebari said formation of a new government in Iraq and the recent UN Resolution regarding Iraq were extremely important for the future of the country. He said there would be authority transfer on June 30, yet noted that mandate of the international forces in the country was still uncertain. Zebari said transfer of authority would have a positive contribution to stability in Iraq.
Zebari said they did not expect acts of terrorism to end immediately after June 30, and stressed that they needed time for the country to reach full stability.
Zebari stated that he did not know when the process would be completed, noting that Iraq should operate its own police, soldiers and institutions. ''We aim to strengthen cooperation and coordination,'' he noted.
Pointing out that they needed international forces in Iraq, Zebari said the forces had an important contribution to security of Iraq.
Replying to a question about participation of Turkmens in Iraqi administration, Zebari said Turkmens were the citizens of Iraq having equal rights, and noted that no discrimination had been made to them and that Turkmens should actively participate in the administration.
(AY-AÖ) 14.06.2004