Turkey reacts 'cautiously' to US putting bounty on PKK

By S.Ahmet Aytac

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey reacted with caution Tuesday to a U.S. decision to put multi-million dollar bounties on the heads of three key PKK terrorists.

“We will take this cautiously, it is a late decision,” said Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin.

Addressing the widely opposed U.S. decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran, Kalin said: “Turkey will not forsake its national interests because the U.S. is imposing sanctions for one reason or another.”

The U.S. State Department earlier Tuesday put a bounty on three key PKK terrorists, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara announced.

Under the Rewards for Justice program, people who give information on the identification or location of PKK terrorists Murat Karayilan, Cemil Bayik, and Duran Kalkan are eligible for rewards of $3-5 million.

The announcement followed U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Palmer’s official visit to the capital Ankara.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, it has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.