ANKARA - Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) Chairman Faruk Abdullah Abdurrahman asked for Ankara's support on taking under guarantee rights of Turkmens in the future of Iraq, sources said on Monday.
Abdurrahman had a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul ahead of handover of sovereignty in Iraq that will take place at the end of the month.
Sources noted that Abdurrahman expressed Turkmens' views, concerns and expectations over the future of Iraq in his meeting with Gul.
ITF sources stated that it was underlined that Turkmens have been excluded from structuring in Iraq so far. Sources stated that it was also stressed in the meeting that Turkmens were not given proper rate of representation they deserved in the lately assigned interim government in Iraq.
Stating that Ankara was asked to support taking rights of Turkmens under guarantee in the future of Iraq, sources noted that Gul approached the issue ''in a sensitive way''.
It was stressed in the meeting that Turkmens were against setting up a federation against political unity and territorial integrity of Iraq under any name. Sources quoted Abdurrahman as saying that Turkmens approached warmly an administrative structure with 18 provinces and noted that Iraqi people should decide on the future of Iraq.
Turkmens' views on Kirkuk and security issue were also brought onto the agenda in the meeting. ITF sources stated that statements that Gul made on Iraq on Monday was welcomed and said that they considered those statements as a result of their talks.
ITF Chairman Abdurrahman is expected to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday.
(EÖ-AÖ) 21.06.2004