Turkey 'won’t be duped' by US in Syria
Washington’s decision to place a bounty on the heads of the PKK leadership has been met with suspicion and derision in Ankara.
Turks have a saying for occasions when they receive unexpected gifts that leave them suspicious about the givers’ motives rather than delighted: “It’s not a holiday, so why did my brother-in-law kiss me?”
This was the feeling among Turkish government officials after US Deputy Secretary of State Matthew Palmer announced last week that the Americans had put bounties on the heads of the leaders of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is outlawed by Turkey as a terrorist organization.
Palmer, who was in Ankara for talks, said the United States would offer up to $5 million for information leading to the identification or location of PKK leader Murat Karayilan, and up to $4 million for Cemil Bayik and $3 million for Duran Kalkan, his deputies.
Contrary to expectations on the American side, the unexpected announcement was met with caution in Ankara.
