Allawi: We do not Want Troops from Neighbors

Speaking to Al Arabia television, Allawi stated that interim government council cared about the ethnic balances and they did not want peace force from neighboring countries. Stating their neighbors would help better Iraqi government by preventing illegal transitions through their borders, Allawi noted that they rejected Jordanian King Abdullah’s suggestion for sending troops and added that they did not want additional troops.

Barzani: Turkey should not Interfere with Iraq’s Internal Affairs

Meanwhile, Barzani in a statement he made to the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine said that they were against neighboring countries’ sending troops to Iraq. Barzani said: "We would like to establish good relations with our neighbors; however, we are against their sending troops to Iraq. We have joint borders with Turkey. The friendlier our relations are the better it would be for both of the sides. Turkey should not interfere with Iraq’s internal issues." Stating neither Turkey nor the other countries had the right to interfere with Iraq’s determining its own fate, Barzani added: "Only Iraqi people have this right and majority of people wants federal system. If it is not provided, then there would never be unity in Iraq."