11.  This amounts, they claim, to E.U. backing for a Kurdish state carved out of Turkey.

12.  Turkish fears about the creation of a Kurdish state are understandable.

13.  U.S. officials insisted that the deal was not intended to pave the way for a Kurdish state within a future Iraqi federation.

14.  Washington has supported autonomy for Iraqi Kurds, but has consistently opposed creating a new Kurdish state.

15.  Would a post-Saddam Iraq disintegrate into an incipient Kurdish state in the north, inflaming Kurdish nationalism in neighboring Turkey and Iran?

16.  A de-facto Kurdish state was formed in northern Iraq after the Gulf War, protected by U.S. and British war planes.

17.  A de-facto Kurdish state was formed in northern Iraq after the Gulf War, protected by U.S., British and French war planes.

18.  A Turkish court on Thursday sentenced the leader of the only legal pro-Kurdish party to one year in prison for suggesting the formation of an independent Kurdish state.

19.  Albright said the United States is not supportive of a Kurdish state, but she said the mission serves to prevent a flow of Kurdish refugees into Turkey.

20.  Although Washington has supported the Kurds, it has never come out in support of an independent Kurdish state in northern Iraq.