Coexistence for Kirkuk
[22 Jun 2004] KIRKUK - Interim Iraqi president vowed to work for "peaceful
coexistence" in Kirkuk, the oil-rich northern city plagued by ethnic
violence, and that the future Iraq would be free of ethnic cleansing.
Kirkuk, 255 km north of Baghdad, underwent an Arabization campaign during the rule of Saddam Hussein.
"Kirkuk should be a city of peaceful coexistence and the new Iraq will not force anyone to leave their home," Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar said during a visit to the city.
The city, which also has a large Turkmen population, is a hotbed of ethnic tension and plagued by frequent violence.
Around 500 million dollars is being spent on about 90 reconstruction projects in the city.
The two-hour visit was conducted under heavy security from US forces
and Iraqi police.
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