US denies intent to establish Kurdish state in northern Iraq

The US ambassador to Iraq, Mark Paris, denied any US intention to establish a Kurdish state in northern Iraq.

In a statement to reporters Tuesday before his meeting with the chairman of Turkey's Democratic party, Husam Eddine Jandarouk -- the minority partner in the current Turkish governmental coalition led by Prime Minister Mesout Yelmas -- Paris said the US respects Iraq's sovereignty over its territories.

He added the US stand concerning this matter was clear and will be the same in the future in that the US honors Iraq's territorial integrity.

Turkey's Deputy Premier Yuland Ajawid on Sunday said the ultimate US goal is to create a Kurdish state in northern Iraq.