Entitled "The Kurdish Policy Imperative," the report came in wake of a Turkish air and ground offensive in northern Iraq. The Turkish offensive has included F-16 aircraft, artillery and special operations forces in the Kandil mountains.

Chatam said Turkey would not receive Iraqi government support in the effort to eliminate the PKK. The think tank said continued Turkish operations could further radicalize the PKK and open the door to Al Qaida-aligned elements.

"Even if it managed to flush them from the mountains, this might leave the door open for radical Islamists to turn the region into their own Tora Bora-style stronghold," the report said.

The report cast doubts on Ankara's claims that PKK fighters were moving from Iraq to Turkey. Chatam said the Iraqi-Turkish border area was difficult to traverse, and the PKK probably established a presence throughout southeastern Turkey.

"It is not certain that the autumn attacks were carried out by Iraq-based PKK units," the report said. "Movement across the mountainous border is difficult and if the PKK claim of having more guerrillas based in Turkey than in Iraq is true, it is likely that the Turkish state's problem is closer to home."

Chatam urged the international community to examine the prospect of offering sovereignty to the Kurdish community. The report said this must include the Kurds of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey.

"There is no imminent prospect of an independent Kurdish state but it is possible that one may in time emerge as a late addition to the post-1918 political map of the Middle East," the report said. "These trends mean that the Kurdish situation has to be reappraised and reconsidered with reference to new political dynamics in Turkey, Syria, Iran, and of course Iraq, and more importantly, the new political and economic outlook of the Kurds themselves."

---