Richard Perle: Turkey has right to attack PKK in Iraq

ZAMAN - 1/7/06

Former Pentagon adviser Richard Perle, kingpin of the "neo-conservative" with heavy influence on the US administration in recent years, made striking statements in an interview with Zaman.

Perle, a prominent figure in formulating recent US foreign policy, also sent important messages to the US administration concerning Turkey.

Perle says Turkey has the right to enter Northern Iraq and conduct operations against the terror network PKK (Kurdish Workers' Party), which he defines as "a savage terrorist network." "If I were the US President, I would allow Turkey's interference." Link


Iraq Foreign Minister - No it doesn't:

Dunya Gazetesi - 04/07/2006

Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, currently in Ankara for an official visit, yesterday met separately with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss a number of issues, including bilateral relations.

... He further lamented that some regional countries were intervening in Iraq's internal affairs. Erdogan said that solidarity between all groups in Iraq was crucial for stability in the country.

Later, Zebari met with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to discuss the terrorist PKK. Speaking at a joint press conference afterwards, Zebari said, "We're trying to control our borders.

The security of our country has the priority, but don't think that we disregard your security. The cooperation between our countries on the PKK will increase after security is ensured in our country." Link