U.S. Diplomat Expresses Gratitude For Turkey's Support On Iraq

ANKARA - A U.S. diplomat on Tuesday expressed gratitude for Turkey's support on Iraq.
Richard Schmierer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq Affairs, said U.S. did not feel uneasy over visit of Iraqi Shi'ite leader Muqtada al-Sadr to Turkey.

Schmierer responded to questions of Turkish journalists in a video conference from Washington D.C. and said they welcomed new positive developments in Turkey-Iraq relations and reciprocal high level visits between the two countries.

Schmierer said relations between Turkey and the United States were very strong, noting that Turkey extended great support to the United States.

Schmierer described terrorist PKK organization as an important problem for Turkey, noting that Turkey has started to consider the problem from a broader point of view and worked closely with Iraq.