Ecevit: They Went Too Far In Northern Iraq

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has said that things went out of control in Northern Iraq and added ''We have to deal with the political side of this matter as well as the security aspect. We should hold detailed discussions with all the concerned parts, especially with the United States.''
Ecevit responded to reporters' questions on Saturday when he came to Bilkent Hotel to introduce the Democratic Left Party's (DSP) Ankara deputies.
Question: Important steps have been taken towards the foundation of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq. The Kurdish groups agreed on a constitution. They declared Kirkuk as their capital. You had said that Turkey would take action if they crossed the line. Do you think this happened now? How will Turkey act in the face of these developments?
Ecevit: Things went out of control in Northern Iraq. Therefore we have to hold detailed talks with all the concerned parts, especially with the United States. They formed a constitution as a trick. We are concerned and we cannot allow this to happen. So far, we have focused on the security aspect of the issue. But now this is not enough, we have to discuss the political side of this matter.
Question: Is deployment of Turkish soldiers to the Northern Iraqi border in question at this stage?
Ecevit: No, there is no such thing at the moment. We want peace in our region and in our borders and we don't want our soldiers and young persons to suffer as long as there is no such necessity. We want problems to be solved peacefully and we will do our best for that.
Question: Do you think of having a meeting with Barzani and Talabani?
Ecevit: We should not discuss the details now, but the thing that matters is that the things went out of control. We should take up the issue from its political dimension. We must discuss the issue in details particularly with U.S. officials. Our aim is solution of the problems in Iraq by peaceful means without a war in a region which also covers our borders. We, as the Democratic Left Party (DSP) is a peaceful party and we have always protected the security of Turkey. Therefore not only our party, but the DSP is closely interested in the issue.
Question: One member of the German Social Democrat Party in European Parliament said that 'the way that goes to Turkey's EU membership passes from Cyprus. Turkey can't become member of the EU without solution of the Cyprus problem.'What do you think about this statement?
Ecevit: They should not be worried, the Cyprus problem has been solved in our respect.