Turkmen boycott meeting with Kurdish leader in Kirkuk

The Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) on Tuesday boycotted a meeting held in Kirkuk between Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani and ethnic and religious groups based in the city.


“Turkmen members of Kirkuk’s provincial assembly chose not to take part in Tuesday’s meeting,” ITF Vice-President Hasan Turan told Anadolu Agency.

He went on to point out that the region’s Turkmen stood in strong opposition to the KRG’s planned referendum on Kurdish regional independence, slated to be held later this month.

“We have made it clear that Turkmen don't want this referendum to be held -- neither in Kirkuk nor in other disputed areas,” Turan said.

“Kirkuk needs more stability, not tension,” he added.
   [aa.com.tr]
 12/9/17
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