The need for Turkish-Kurdish cooperation

Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, reports to The Washington Post today from Irbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.

As part of his visit, Holbrooke has met with leaders from both Turkey and Kurdistan to discuss the necessity of rapprochement, compromise and cooperation, as interdependence is needed to address vast economic, political and security issues in the region. Holbrooke sees Kurdistan as a potential buffer between Turkey and central Iraq, while Turkey could become the protector of a Kurdistan that remains a part of Iraq but is afforded expanded governmental autonomy.

Holbrooke also emphasizes the distinctive need for intense encouragement and mediation by the United States to help Turkish and Kurdish leaders stave off conflict.

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