Turkey: It Is A Fact That Some Rules Were Violated During Elections In Iraq

ANKARA - ''It is a fact that some rules were violated during the elections in Iraq,'' said Namik Tan, the spokesman of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), on Wednesday, adding, ''objections to such infractions should be made under democratic mechanisms.''
In a weekly press briefing, Tan told reporters, ''there are some objections as regards the elections, including those of Iraqi Christians living in Stockholm. They claimed that they were prevented from casting their vote. The other ethnic groups also objected to the elections. All these complaints will be assessed by the ad-hoc election commission.''
Expressing regret over low participation of some ethnic groups, Tan said, ''we consider it a matter that should be compensated rapidly and fairly.''
Noting that results of the elections were expected to be made public next week, Tan said, ''we think that results will not reflect the real strength of ethnic groups at the constituent assembly. It is obvious that new measures should be taken to establish democracy properly in Iraq.''
''All our desire is the restoration of peace, calm and stability in Iraq. We are for a democratic rule, which will be accepted by all segments of the population. We do not have any other intention and thoughts about Iraq,'' Tan told reporters.
When asked about a possible reaction by Turkey vis-a-vis developments in Kirkuk, Tan said, ''the first thing to do is to wait and see the results of the elections. Then, we will determine our position. I cannot make any comment at this moment.''
Replying to another question, Tan said, ''as a neighbor of Iraq, Turkey is affected by what was going on there and we have some concerns. It is not about intervention in internal affairs of Iraq.''
Upon another question, Tan said that the United States made a request to establish a transportation center at the Incirlik Air Base in southern city of Adana and this request has been under evaluation.''
Referring to the Cyprus issue, Tan told reporters, ''Turkey will sign the protocol about Ankara Agreement. However, legal and technical assessments have still been continuing.''