Turkey Threatens to End Cooperation With US in Iraq

An American military offensive against Tall Afar in Northern Iraq has pushed the Turks to warn Washington. The attack led to the loss of civilians in an area where many Turks live. "I myself spoke to the American Secretary of State (Colin Powell,)" Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said, according to Anatolia news agency reports. "We stated very clearly that if it continues, Turkey will end its partnership on all areas concerning Iraq." The Turkish track towards EU membership has some other obstacles to overcome however. Several EU foreign ministers urged Turkey to drop a controversial proposal outlawing adultery at a meeting in Brussels on Monday. The Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has proposed criminalizing adultery as part of a set of penal code amendments which were originally intended to bring Turkey in line with European norms. The proposal is to be discussed in the Turkish Parliament Tuesday. Britain's foreign minister, Jack Straw was quoted by the International Herald Tribune saying the proposed Turkish law on adultery would harm Turkey's efforts to begin negotiations on accession to the Union. (EUobserver.com)