Fate of Kirkuk could spell trouble for Iraq

By Mustafa Mohammed

KIRKUK, Iraq (Reuters) - Abdullah Jasim, a Shi'ite Arab, left his native Basra in southern Iraq more than 30 years ago in search of a better life in the oil-producing city of Kirkuk.

He opened three businesses and married off six daughters born in Kirkuk. But in the eyes of many in this northern flashpoint city at the heart of a looming ethnic row, Jasim and his family are "wafedins", or newcomers.

"Most in my family have never seen Basra," said Jasim, 67, drinking tea with friends one recent afternoon.

"No one forced us to come, but every time my sons and daughters apply for a job they are told: 'This job is not for you. This is only for the people of Kirkuk'."

Iraq is expected to settle the final status of multi-ethnic Kirkuk in a local referendum by the end of 2007.

With Iraq's government and Washington focused on saving Baghdad from civil war, a think-tank last month warned that ignoring Kirkuk could see conflict spread to the relatively peaceful north and even spill over the border into Turkey.

Kirkuk, an ancient city 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, is claimed by ethnic Kurds, Arabs and Turkish-speaking Turkmen.

Once a melting pot of Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, Turkmen and Armenians, the city's woes are a recipe for bloodshed if a peaceful solution is not found, analysts said.