The Times of India

MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2003

Iran opposed to Kurdish state in Iraq

AP

ISTANBUL: Iran is opposed to the creation of a Kurdish state in northern
Iraq and supports greater consultations among Iraq's neighbours on the
country's future, Iran's foreign minister said after talks in Turkey.

Both Turkey and Iran oppose the break up of Iraq, which they fear will stir
separatist sentiment within their own Kurdish minorities. ``We are opposed
to the creation of a government in the north or any other section of Iraq,''

Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said after talks with his Turkish
counterpart Abdullah Gul in Ankara. ``Iran and Turkey, as the two large
countries of the region, share common concerns,'' Gul said at the joint
press conference.

But Kharrazi said any incursion by neighbouring countries into Iraq would
further destabilize the situation in Iraq. Turkey has said that it may send
troops into northern Iraq if it feels its security is at risk or to prevent
a large refugee influx.

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