"U.S. envoy says anti-PKK commitment shared by U.S., Iraq and Turkey
The Associated Press
Published: September 27, 2006
WASHINGTON Retired Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, U.S. special envoy for countering the Kurdish Workers Party or PKK, said Wednesday he believes the United States, Iraq and Turkey share a commitment to work toward elimination of PKK rebels in Iraqi territory.
At a news conference, Ralston rejected suggestions in the Turkish press that part of his duties will include working as a "coordinator" with the PKK.
Such suggestions are the "furthest thing from the truth," he said.
Ralston's recent appointment as special envoy suggests the U.s. governent is giving higher priority to Turkish concerns about the PKK presence in northern Iraq, across the border from Turkey.
That issue is certain to come up next week when Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits Washington for talks with President George W. Bush and other officials.
Despite Ralston's suggestion that the United States, Turkey and Iraq are working in harmony against the PKK, there is strong evidence of Turkish-Iraqi tension over the issue.
In a speech here this week, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani complained about alleged Turkish military interference in northern Iraq.
"Iraq is not so weak our neighbors can do anything and we will remain silent," Talabani said. On Wednesday, Erdogan denied any such interference.
Ralston called Turkey the best possible friend for Iraq in the neighborhood. "We need to stop the violence and allow economic ties to flourish," he said, referring to hostilities he said were inspired by the PKK.
Ralston said he does not attach any priority to achieving a cease-fire with the PKK because that would confer a status on the group that it does not deserve.
But, he said, "If they lay down their arms, that would be good." He added that use of military force to dislodge the PKK from northern Iraq should be a last resort.
Ralston declined comment on whether Turkey should do more to make membership in the PKK less appealing to Turkish Kurds.
He said that any PKK offices in Iraq should be shut down and that the group's financial transactions should be curbed.
Ralston added that no Turkish Kurd who committed violence against innocent civilians should be granted amnesty.
The PKK has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast since 1984 in a fight that has left some 37,000 dead.
The group, which is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, has recently stepped up its attacks against troops, tourist sites and government targets in Turkey.
WASHINGTON Retired Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, U.S. special envoy for countering the Kurdish Workers Party or PKK, said Wednesday he believes the United States, Iraq and Turkey share a commitment to work toward elimination of PKK rebels in Iraqi territory.
At a news conference, Ralston rejected suggestions in the Turkish press that part of his duties will include working as a "coordinator" with the PKK.
Such suggestions are the "furthest thing from the truth," he said."
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