Turkish army warns Iraqi Kurds, US over Kirkuk

[Judi Lynn]

Turkish army warns Iraqi Kurds, US over Kirkuk

AFP: 1/26/2005 ANKARA, Jan 26 (AFP) - Ethnic strife in Kirkuk, sparked by Kurdish attempts to take control of the oil-rich city in northern Iraq, would create "serious" security concerns for Turkey, the Turkish army warned Wednesday.

It might also open a rift with the United States, it said.

The number two of the influential Turkish military renewed Ankara's charges that more Kurds than those expelled from Kirkuk under Saddam Hussein's regime have now settled in the city and registered for Sunday's elections in Iraq.
(snip)

Asked about the United States' role in preventing unrest in the region, the general conceded that "the circumstances in Iraq are very difficult," but cautioned that ethnic tensions in Kirkuk might deal a blow to Turkey's ties with its long-standing ally.
(snip/...)

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?ID=36493

[bemildred]

1. Tick, tick, tick, tick ...

It's going to be interesting to see if anything happens after the "election".