ISTANBUL (A.A) - 15.05.2002 - Middle East Forum Director Judith Kipper claimed that a military operation against Iraq could take place next year, when he spoke at a conference organized by Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD).
''Iraqis did many things and hid mass destruction weapons,'' Kipper said that Kurds in Northern Iraq were unjustly treated and they deserve to have autonomy to a certain point.
Kipper said that U.S. President George Bush was not as interested as Clinton in the Middle East. ''This is not a Sharon-Arafat conflict,'' he continued. ''These are two national movements. The leaders don't know how to rule and they don't give a peaceful vision to their people. They don't take any steps forward. For the first time, this 54-year old problem is being discussed. Neither Sharon nor Arafat is representing their people. This problem has to be solved. We need Turkey on this matter. Turkey has to talk with Israelis and Arabs.''
The Heritage Foundation Research expert John Hulsman said Turkey was siding with the United States regarding Iraq. ''The interests of Turkey and the United States go parallel,'' he said. ''We shouldn't forget Turkey's interests. We'll need Turkey very much during an intervention to Iraq. The United States should pay attention to Turkey and understand Turkey's value.''