Despite
Ankara's Worries, US Reasserts Support for Upcoming Kirkuk Referendum
Jan 17, 2007
Speaking before his ruling AKP group last
Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan had said "...In light of demographic
changes in Kirkuk, it is not right for a referendum to take place right now...."
At a press conference yesterday in the US
capital however, Tom Casey, a spokesman for the State Department, made comments
indicating US unwillingness to listen to Ankara's push for a postponed
referendum.
"These are subjects which have debated in the
past. In the Iraqi Constitution, there are certain mechanisms in place with
regards to the determination of Kirkuk's status. And we of course are expecting
the Iraqi government to move according to these plans."
