Turkey expects US actions against Kurd rebels
Sunday, 21 October 2007
ANKARA, Oct 20 (Agencies): Turkey expects the United States to take urgent action against Kurdish rebels hiding in northern Iraq, its prime minister said, in comments suggesting Ankara hopes to avoid a Turkish military operation in the region.
Turkey's parliament this week authorised troops to cross themountainous border into northern Iraq to track down rebels of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), who use the region as a base from which to attack Turkish targets.
"We expect the coalition forces in Iraq, above all the Americans, to take steps in the current situation," Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told Turkish television late Friday.
"These steps must be taken to ensure we get good results in the fight against the terrorist organisation in northern Iraq."
"We expect things from the United States rather than from Iraq," he said. The Baghdad government has little clout in the mainly Kurdish autonomous region of the north.
Washington and Baghdad have urged Ankara to avoid military action, which they fear could destabilize the whole region, and to fight the PKK by diplomatic and other means.
Turkey's parliament this week authorised troops to cross themountainous border into northern Iraq to track down rebels of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), who use the region as a base from which to attack Turkish targets.
"We expect the coalition forces in Iraq, above all the Americans, to take steps in the current situation," Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told Turkish television late Friday.
"These steps must be taken to ensure we get good results in the fight against the terrorist organisation in northern Iraq."
"We expect things from the United States rather than from Iraq," he said. The Baghdad government has little clout in the mainly Kurdish autonomous region of the north.
Washington and Baghdad have urged Ankara to avoid military action, which they fear could destabilize the whole region, and to fight the PKK by diplomatic and other means.