KurdistanObserver.com
US Ambassador to Turkey Calls For Political Not Military
Means Against Kurds
ANKARA, Feb 1 (KUNA) -- US Ambassador in Ankara Ross Wilson told the press
Friday that year 2007 was "exciting and very fruitful" specifically with regard
to development of US-Turkish relations.
He said cooperation between his country and Turkey was very good during the past
year and said he is convinced that even more cooperation is expected in 2008.
Alluding to the Turkish air raids against Kurdish PKK forces in Iraqi Kurdistan,
Wilson said the air raids were "very successful" but called Turkish authorities
to use other effective "political and economic methods" to achieve the same end.
He called on the Turkish regime to learn from the US experience in Afghanistan
on how alternative methods to armed means could also bear fruit.
He said the US administration is convinced of the necessity
for Turkey to engage in dialogue with Kurdistan Regional Government.
Turning to another issue, he called on Turkey to close down some branches of
Iranian banks there arguing that this measure would dry out finance sources to
potential terrorist organizations.
"Do not forget that the UN had adopted some resolutions calling for financial
measures to be taken against Iran," the ambassador said.
