(Zaman) - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's remarks implying that Turkey interfered in their domestic affairs sparked strong reaction by Ankara, reports Trend.
Speaking to Zaman, a Turkish foreign ministry official said: Turkey has never done anything to destabilize Iraq. After the United States announced Iraq turned into a terror's nest in the reports it issued, Turkey took certain measures at its border. Iraqi administrators are the first who should take measures against terrorism. They must never confuse Turkey with other countries.
A possible reason for Talabani's statement is thought to be Ankara's sensitivity toward Kirkuk.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul had said turmoil in Kirkuk would threaten all of Iraq to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
In a statement he issued, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan said Turkey's Iraq policy was transparent.