GUL Says 'U.S. Must Have Clear Policy About Iraq'

U.S. Undersecretary of Defence Douglas Feith told Foreign minister Abdullah Gul that the election results in Iraq should be regarded as living proof that democracy is finally on it's way to becoming part of the Iraqi way of life.After this remark, Gul reminded Feith of the situation in Kirkuk saying "The U.S. should carry out policies in Iraq that would please all groups within Iraqi society and clearly show that it treats everyone equally." The first diplomatic messages between Ankara and Washington concerning Kirkuk were exchanged yesterday. Feith who was received by Foreign Minister Gul called on Turkey to carry out joint work towards Iran and also told Gul that they regarded Kirkuk as an issue that should be solved by Iraqis and that the outcome of elections should be regarded as an outcome of democracy and therefore respected. Gul replied by saying firmly "The U.S. should implement policies in Iraq, that will please all the social groups showing that it regards all of them equally." When asked to respond to the statement of KDP leader Barzani that "There will be an independent Kurdistan," Feith said"This issue is one for domestic consumption and the vision of the U.S. is to protect the territorial integrity of Iraq. This is of vital importance for the U.S. The Kirkuk issue should be solved by supporting the territorial integrity of Iraq." In their talk, Gul called on the U.S. to take action against the PKK-Kongra Gel in Iraq. On his part, Feith said that there were vital issues in Iraq and after these are completed, the campaign against the PKK will be carried out. Â