Ankara eyes direction of exports in effort to put economic press on Barzani
Güncelleme Tarihi:
A decision to carry out economic restrictions against northern Iraq has emerged from a meeting yesterday of the Turkish National Security Council (MGK), headed up for the first time by newly elected President Abdullah Gul.
According to the plans clarified thus far, Turkish goods leaving through Turkey headed for Iraqi soil will not pass as freely through the Habur border crossing along the Turkish-Iraqi border, but will instead be headed through Syria for their final destinations. If this plan takes hold strongly, it is estimated that northern Iraq, under the direction of regional Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani, will experience losses of up to 400 million dollars annually.
The report recommending the by-passing of northern Iraq in the export of Turkish goods to Iraq underscored precautions that would ensure that Turkish businesses are not economically damaged by new regulations. Exports within this new framework are to pass through border points at Hatay-Cilvegozu, Urfa-Akcakale, Nusaybin, and Kilis-Oncupinar. Syrian authorities are being asked by Ankara to prepare these border points for increased traffic. The Habur border crossing will still be used for US military logistic support from Turkey to US troops stationed on Iraqi soil.