If Status Quo Becomes Permanent, Iraq Will Be A Center Of Instability, Buyukanit

ISTANBUL - Turkey`s top general said Thursday if the status quo becomes permanent, Iraq will be a center of instability.
Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit made opening remarks of an international symposium on the future of the Middle East organized by General Staff`s Strategic Research and Study Center in Ankara. 124 experts from 52 countries are attending the symposium.
"If the status quo in Iraq continues and becomes permanent, this would cause instability in the Middle East", Gen. Buyukanit said.
"Iraq`s territorial integrity and stability in Iraq are highly vital for Turkey", Gen. Buyukanit said.
"Policies that would prevent the escalation of new problems in the region and keep the region free of nuclear weapons are highly important for a Middle East living in peace and stability", Gen. Buyukanit said.
"With its secular and democratic characters, Turkey is a source of stability in its region in the post-Cold War era", Buyukanit said.
"Turkey`s importance is based on its position in global economic and political interests and its philosophy based on Kemalism", Gen. Buyukanit said.
"We follow with concern certain sources that want to change Turkey`s structure in the past few years. We see that certain circles want to add new titles to the Republic of Turkey. Legal organs of Turkey will never allow new titles for the country", Buyukanit said.
"The republic founded by Ataturk is the future of the country. No force can ever change this reality", Buyukanit said.

(SOL-AÖ)