"Gul Denies Saying 'Kurdistan' During Iraq Visit
Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 6 Issue: 60
March 30, 2009 10:39 AM Age: 34 min
Category: Eurasia Daily Monitor, Turkey, Home Page, Foreign Policy
By: Saban Kardas
Turkish President Abdullah Gul's visit to Iraq might be regarded as a turning point in Turkey's Kurdish issue, perhaps more than its implications for improving Turkish-Iraqi ties (EDM, March 24). On the plane to Baghdad, Gul reportedly used the word 'Kurdistan' to describe the Kurdistan Regional Administration (KRG) in Northern Iraq, in stark contrast to Turkey's past political discourse. Although Gul later denied these reports, the discussions they triggered confirmed Turkey's more nuanced approach towards the Kurds, as well as revealing the remaining obstacles."
More:Gul Denies Saying "Kurdistan" During Iraq Visit - The Jamestown Foundation
