Monday, October 01, 2007

Turkish general says independent Kurdish state is security risk

"Turkish general says independent Kurdish state is security risk, EU ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP)

Turkey's military chief said Monday that the establishment of an independent Kurdish state in northern Iraq would constitute a political and security risk for Turkey. Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, speaking at Turkey's War Academy, said Iraq was moving toward becoming a confederation, which he said could lead to the Kurdish northern portion breaking away from the rest of Iraq. Turkey has been fighting separatist Kurdish rebels since 1984 in a campaign that has killed tens of thousands of people. Turkish officials fear that a separate, Kurdish-ruled state would encourage Kurdish guerrillas inside Turkey."

More:Associated Press