"US Responds to Erdogan�s Iraq Election Criticism
US responds to Erdogan�s Iraq election criticism
The Turkish Prime Minister said that massive irregularities would undermine the value of the Iraqi election.
January 28� Washington has downplayed criticism from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Sunday�s general election in Iraq would be flawed and would not stop violence or instability in the country.
US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said late Thursday, despite problems, the Iraq general elections would be a milestone as Iraqis are to elect their leader.
�No one is claiming that they would be perfect.� Boucher told a press briefing
Boucher said that everyone knew that there would be violence and that people would try to disrupt the election.
However, he said that it was an important step for Iraq that the elections be held, despite the difficulties. "
The Journal of Turkish Weekly