Ankara reacted cautiously to the news about the growing cooperation between Israel and Kurdish groups in northern Iraq.

Several diplomatic sources unofficially confirmed, "We cannot know whether these are Israelis, American Jews or Jewish Kurds. However, we are aware that there has been cooperation between these groups and Kurds throughout history. Initially, they were [cooperating] against the Arabs. We have made necessary warnings about this issue in the past."

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul added his voice to the concerns that the cooperation between Israel and Kurds has spilt over into the military sphere. "We are closely monitoring these developments and making the necessary warnings."

After his meeting with Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) Leader Faruk Abdullah Abdurrahman, Gul added, "Everybody knows how especially sensitive we are about the Kirkuk issue. Everybody knows very well that we will never allow for a fait accompli in the region."

Meanwhile, Turkey's reported attitude about the administration of Iraq is 'Respecting the decisions of the Iraqi public'. Gul elaborated, "We will show respect to the issues that the Iraqi public will decide on its own…The structuring that could lead to disintegration and separation is very dangerous, we do not approve of it."

22.06.2004

06.22.2004 Salih Boztas - Ankara

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