ANKARA - U.S. President George W. Bush's Adviser for Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad said on Monday, ''we have agreed Turkish forces' going into northern Iraq is not end in itself.''
Khalilzad met with the Turkish delegation headed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal and Deputy Undersecretary Ali Tuygan.
Addressing journalists following the meeting, Khalilzad said that they had taken up joint concerns about Iraq and especially possible inflow of Iraqi refugees into Turkish borders.
He noted that terrorism threatening Turkey and a possible instability in Kirkuk were also brought onto agenda of the meeting.
Noting that they had discussed measures to be taken to prevent instability in the region, Khalilzad said that developments in Kirkuk were also taken up.
Khalilzad said a commission would be set up among the sides, and that every kind of legal issues would be discussed in this commission. Khalilzad said the coalition forces would have the responsibility of providing security in Kirkuk.
Khalilzad said, ''Kurds will act under the order and command of the forces of the United States. They will not be able to march to any point without the information of coalition leadership.''
Pointing out that there were some scenarios on the issue, Khalilzad said there could be some developments in the future.
Khalilzad said local people in Northern Iraq, the United States, and Turkey should be in communication, should hold talks, and determine a joint approach to solve the problems together.
Khalilzad said legal interests and concerns of Turkey were in question, stating that they respected this, and that they would do their best.
Khalilzad also said they would be in cooperation with Turkey and local people in Northern Iraq, stating that they would be in coordination for the solution of current and potential problems.
(UK-AY-AÖ) 31.03.2003