ANKARA, Feb. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told the Turkish private NTV channel Sunday that the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk must be a place where all Iraqis could live without fear.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, is seen with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer during their meeting at the Presidential Palace of Cankaya in Ankara Feb. 6. (AP)

   Her interview came amid Turkey's criticism of the US failure to heed Turkish concerns over tensions in the disputed Iraqi city, with Turkish military and government implying possible intervention in northern Iraq to stem what Ankara sees as Kurdish attempts to dominate Kirkuk at the expense of other residents of the ethnically-mixed city.

   The criticism aroused tensions not only between Ankara and Washington but also between Turkey and the Iraqi Kurds.

   In the interview, Rice stressed the US approach to Iraq's territorial integrity was clear. "We want to see an Iraq where all are represented and their rights respected. We want a unified, single Iraq," Rice said.

   The United States encouraged all groups to live side by side peacefully in Kirkuk, Rice added. 

   On the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), Rice said the United States would not tolerate any form of terrorist attacks originating from northern Iraq.

   "The United States regards the PKK/Kongra-Gel as a terrorist organization," said Rice, adding that "aside from military related ones, we will cut off the financial assistance provided to this terrorist organization."

   The PKK, which wants to establish an independent Kurdish state in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq, launched an armed campaign against the Turkish government in 1984.

   Fighting subdued significantly in 1999 when Turkey captured PKK commander Abdullah Ocalan, but the group called off its unilateral ceasefire in 2004, threatening to wreck the fragile peace.

   Rice also said the US administration expected Turkish people to understand the US firm stand in Iraq.

   On Iran, Rice said the Iranians must take full advantage of the opportunity provided to them, saying "we believe that the Iranian topic could be resolved through diplomacy."

   In regard to Israeli-Palestinian relations, Rice said "the Israelis and Palestinians must go back to the roadmap and take the necessary steps."

   "Although we have a long road ahead of us in the Middle East, I am hopeful for the future," said Rice.

   Rice was later received by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at the Cankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara.

   Rice is scheduled to meet Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul later Sunday and they will hold a joint press conference following the meeting.

   Rice arrived in Ankara Saturday on a visit aimed at improving relations with its Muslim ally of NATO, where anti-American sentiments have been strong since the start of the war in
neighboring Iraq.

   Upon arrival, she met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the airport for talks over bilateral ties.

   Relations between the United States and Turkey have been strained since Turkey's parliament in 2003 rejected a US request to use its land as a launch pad for the Iraqi war from the north, which most Turks strongly opposed.

   Turkey is the fourth leg of Rice's week-long Europe and Mideast tour, which has taken her to Britain, Germany and Poland and will also take her to Israel and the Palestinian lands. Enditem