Turkey willing to fight if Kurds form state in northern Iraq

PRIME MINISTER Bulent Ecevit said Turkey could consider military force if Kurds in northern Iraq tried to form an independent state.

Mr Ecevit’s remarks, broadcast on Sunday, came after a meeting on Friday of lawmakers from two long-feuding Iraqi Kurdish factions. Turkey fears that Iraqi Kurds are trying to unify as Washington considers military strikes to topple Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

“Our eyes are always going to be on northern Iraq. If even the smallest negative thing happens there, we will take the necessary steps,” Mr Ecevit said on private TV 8 television.