Iraqi FM offers 'trilateral committee'

"The platform to discuss Turkey's security concerns, including PKK problem, is a trilateral committee comprised of the USA, Turkey and Iraq," defended Hoshyar Mahmoud Zebari, Foreign Minister of Iraq, on Wednesday.

After attending a meeting at the U.N. Security Council on extending the period of the multi-national force in Iraq, Zebari answered questions of Turkish journalists.

"Our stand in the wake of a tension between Turkey and Iraq due to PKK is clear. We are against all military actions that would target Iraqi territory," told Zebari.

Asked if he sees PKK as a terrorist organization, Zebari noted that he "expressed his views on PKK at many occasions."

Zebari did not give a definite answer on the PKK.

In response to a question on why the Iraqi government does not or can not prevent PKK attacks staged on Turkey, Zebari indicated that "the Iraqi government has a constitutional obligation to eradicate any foreign groups or organization operating on Iraqi soil.

"The PKK problem arises from north of Iraq where there is a regional government that is a part of the Iraqi government. We must establish dialogue between the Turkish government, Iraqi government, regional authorities and the USA in order to resolve the PKK issue."

AA Last Mod: 14 Haziran 2007, 11:58