Situation remains tense in Northern Iraq following Wednesday military summit in Turkey’s southeast province of Diyarbakir and rumors spread of Turkish army’s entrance in Northern Iraq soon.

On Wednesday Turkish Chief of Staff Genearl Hilmi Ozkok, in a public statement told journalists that Turkish army will enter into Northern Iraq if Turkish security is threatened by the outcome of the ongoing war in Iraq. “Yet we do not consider any immediate threat,” he added.

On Monday the letter by 23 members of US Congress addressed at US President Bush was publicized by the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) and KYB (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan).

The Congressmen’s letter to Bush warns that “Turkish army is about to invade Northern Iraq and this undermines US National Security policy”. The letter further states that “Northern Iraq is under control since 1991 by the help of allied countries” and points that “there is no sign of mass immigration to Turkey as it had been in 1991”.

Rumors that Jamjawar and Qarlaq, the peshmerga strongholds, will be bombed by the US bomber planes are not confirmed by the KDP. They are on defense and have not engaged with the 'enemy troops', the KDP spokesperson says.

The rumors stem from the fact that 65 Komele (a Kurdish faction aiming at Kurdish independence) guerillas were killed on the Amerikan attack a couple of days ago.

According to reports the Kurdish guerrilla PKK, who fought against the Turkish government for 15 years, is present in the region. The PKK presence is reported in Fisarbon and in the highlands on the Iranian border area near Zaho.

Seemingly, a clash with KDP PUK forces will be inevitable should the Turkish army enters in Northern Iraq,. They will fight against this 'invasion' say Kurds here.

However, most people here believe relations with Turkey will be improved when the Saddam regime in Baghdad collapses. Even today, Turkish whiteware such as Beko and Arçelik can be seen in the display windows of warehouses and on the billboards. (TT/EK)