Celebi: Turkmens Are Third Biggest People In Iraq

ISTANBUL - Iraqi National Congress (INC) leader Ahmet Celebi said on Saturday that they respect Turkmens' getting their political and cultural rights, adding that ''Turkmens will definetely have their place in the united Iraq to be founded.''
Celebi who wrapped up his contacts in Ankara came to Istanbul.
Responding to questions of journalists at Ataturk Airport, Celebi said that he believes an operation in Iraq will start soon, but he does not know how long it will last.
If Turkey takes place in such an operation, the peace will be reached faster due to Turkey's status in the U.N. and its relations with the regional countries, he commented.
''Do you prefer Turkish soldiers to be in Northern Iraq?'' asked journalists to Celebi who said that ''nobody should be worried about the Turkish army's being in Northern Iraq. The army's being there will help in the solution of the problems.''
Celebi said he thought that the Turkish army would stay in Northern Iraq for a short period of time and that it would withdraw when the Iraqi people gets its freedom. Recalling that Talabani and Barzani does not want Turkish army to be in Northern Iraq, Celebi said that ''the developments in the region constitute an international issue. This international issue can only be solved by U.N. resolutions.''
Responding to another question, Celebi said that they don't want a war in Iraq, adding that they want Saddam to abide by U.N. resolutions for peaceful solution of the problems.
When asked how he considered the place of Turkmens in the future of Iraq, Celebi said that ''Turkmens are the third biggest nation of Iraq. We welcome their getting political and cultural rights. Turkmens will definitely have their place in the united Iraq.''