 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Iraqi President Says Large-Scale Turkish Incursion Impossible
Ankara, Turkey (RIA Novosti) Oct 22, 2007 Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said he believed there was no chance of a large-scale Turkish military strike against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq. Turkey's parliament sanctioned on Wednesday military cross-border operations against around 3,500 militants from the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), believed to be based in Iraq, following a government request earlier this week. The Iraqi leader said in an interview published on Saturday with international Arabic newspaper Al Sharq Al Awsat that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan "is a wise person, and understands that a military incursion will not solve the problem, and will have severe consequences." "I rule out the possibility of a large-scale incursion by Turkey, an idea that everyone opposes, including the United States, the European Union, and NATO," he said. Erdogan put forward two conditions on Friday that could prevent Ankara from launching a military strike against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq. "What will satisfy us is the closure of all PKK camps, including their training facilities, and the handover of the terrorist leaders to us," Erdogan told reporters, commenting on the calls from Baghdad to refrain from any military action. Turkey's National Security Council will discuss on October 24 an "action plan" following parliament's decision, which authorizes a military operation for one year but sets out no specific timetable. The Turkish military has prepared several scenarios for a cross-border operation in northern Iraq to counter Kurdish rebels. The country has been amassing troops in provinces bordering on Iraq, and shelling suspected rebel positions along the border. The PKK has been fighting for autonomy status in southeast Turkey for nearly 25 years, and recently intensified attacks along the Iraqi border. The conflict has claimed about 40,000 lives.
Source: RIA Novosti Related Links Iraq: The first technology war of the 21st century
No Turkish hostages held by Kurdish rebels: defence minister
Kiev (AFP) Oct 21, 2007Turkey's Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul said here Sunday there were "no hostages" being held by Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, denying reports from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement |
