WASHINGTON-Anatolia news agency

U.S. special envoy for countering terrorism, retired General Joseph Ralston said yesterday that northern Iraqi Kurds should assume a more effective attitude against the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) adding that, he would like to see the Kurds in northern Iraq clamp down on and expel PKK terrorists. Speaking at a panel discussion hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C. yesterday Ralston described the PKK as a terrorist organization killing innocent people.
"There is no excuse for PKK terrorists. They should be treated as murderers by everyone, including the United States," Ralston said.
Replying to a question on a possible incursion by the Turkish army into northern Iraq Ralston stated Turkey would make decisions in accordance with its own interests adding that he hopes Turkey will consider its long-term interests rather than short-term ones.
Noting that a Turkish military operation in northern Iraq will not serve U.S. interests, Ralston replied to a question on Iran's fight against the PKK's Iranian counterpart PEJAK by saying that Iran's efforts against the PEJAK might mislead Turks to think that they have common interests with Tehran in the region, a view which is not compatible with Turkey's strategic interests, suggested Ralston.
Criticizing Denmark for permitting pro-PKK Roj TV to broadcast there Ralston said Turks were wondering how a NATO ally could allow such a move.
Ralston also noted that the United States was providing European countries with intelligence on money transfers to the terrorist PKK.