"... There are more than 20 million Kurds in Turkey, many of whom look with envy on the automony that Kurds have achieved in Iraq where the Kurdish Regional Government operates virtually outside the control of the central government in Baghdad.Mahmoud Othman, an Iraqi-Kurd who serves in iraq's parliaments, said that Turkey needs to negotiate with its Kurdish population to end the conflict.
"It has been using force – and what has force gained them? Nothing. This is not an issue that can be resolved by force. It is a political issue that can only be resolved by political means and talks." He also strongly denied that the attacks were launched from Iraqi soil.
Iraqi and Turkish officials in Baghdad could not be reached for comment.
In a written statement, the American ambassador to Ankara, Francis J. Ricciardone Jr., said "As a friend and ally, the United States will continue to stand with the people and government of Turkey in their fight against the P.K.K., which the United States has officially designated as a terrorist organization."
To which Othman responded: "The problem is that the Americans support Turkey in all its actions. And Turkey knowing this will continue on its present course. Whereas the Americans should support the people who are striving for their rights, and they should pressure the Turkish government into sitting at a table with them and listen to their grievances."
The mood in Turkey, however, was hardly accommodating...."
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