Steps being taken to found a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq: PM

NTV

Sep 26, 2002 

Turkish Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit said that even if Turkey did not take part in a military strike against Iraq the impact of any 
such operation would still Turkey great harm. 

Although groups in Northern Iraq claim they did not want to establish an independent Kurdish state in the 
region, steps are being taken to set up a de facto one, Turkey’s Prime Minister said on Wednesday. 

Ecevit, speaking on private television station STV, warned that such actions would have dire consequences. 

“If steps are taken to make this official very severe problems would occur,” he said. “We certainly take our measures.”
The Prime Minister said that the setting up of an independent state in Northern Iraq would not be allowed to happen.

Turkey has long opposed any moves by the Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq to break away from Baghdad and found an 
independent state, in part fearing the such a move would encourage separatism domestically. 

In reference to a possible US-led military operation against Iraq Ecevit warned that such a step would have a direct effect on 
Turkey and its economy, especially the tourism sector.

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Bahceli: Foundation Of A Kurdish State In Northern Iraq Is Unacceptable

ANKARA - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli who also acts as leader of the Nationalist Movement 
Party (MHP), said on Thursday, ''foundation of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq is unacceptable.'' 

When a journalist quoted Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit as saying that he would take all necessary measures against foundation 
of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq, Bahceli stressed that Turkey could not accept such a Kurdish state in the region. 

 

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