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US to seek end to Turkey assault US to seek end to Turkey assault
(about 1 hour later)
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said he will ask Turkish leaders to end their military operations in northern Iraq as quickly as possible.US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said he will ask Turkish leaders to end their military operations in northern Iraq as quickly as possible.
Mr Gates, who was speaking ahead of a visit to Ankara, said Turkey's assault against Kurdish separatists must not last longer than a week or two. Mr Gates, speaking ahead of a visit to Ankara, said Turkey's assault against Kurdish PKK separatists must not last longer than a week or two.
Separately, a Turkish envoy arrived in Iraq for talks, Iraqi sources said. Separately, a Turkish envoy has arrived in Iraq for talks, Iraqi sources say.
Turkish troops last week began the offensive against the PKK rebels, who want a homeland in south-east Turkey. Turkish officials say 77 rebels were killed overnight, bringing the militant toll to 230 since the offensive began.
Twenty-four Turkish soldiers have been killed since the cross-border attack began on Thursday, including five in the latest clashes, the military said. Three pro-government "village guards" were also killed.
The PKK rebels, who want a homeland in south-east Turkey, say they have killed at least 81 Turkish soldiers. Neither report can be independently verified.
Iraq has condemned the incursion into its territory and urged Turkey to withdraw its forces.Iraq has condemned the incursion into its territory and urged Turkey to withdraw its forces.
'Economic moves''Economic moves'
Speaking in Delhi before leaving for Turkey, Mr Gates said it was "very important that the Turks make this operation as short as possible and then leave".Speaking in Delhi before leaving for Turkey, Mr Gates said it was "very important that the Turks make this operation as short as possible and then leave".
"They have to be mindful of Iraqi sovereignty," he said. He added: "They have to be mindful of Iraqi sovereignty.
"I measure quick in terms of days, a week or two, something like that, not months," he added. "I measure quick in terms of days, a week or two, something like that, not months."
He also said he would repeat his warning to Turkish leaders that military activity alone would not solve the problem.He also said he would repeat his warning to Turkish leaders that military activity alone would not solve the problem.
Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge MapClick to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map
"There certainly is a place for security operations, but these also need to be accompanied by economic and political initiatives," he said."There certainly is a place for security operations, but these also need to be accompanied by economic and political initiatives," he said.
The Turkish military says it has killed 153 rebels and lost 19 soldiers since the cross-border attack began on Thursday night.
The rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) say they have killed Turkish 81 soldiers. Neither report can be independently verified.
More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK began fighting for a Kurdish homeland in south-eastern Turkey in 1984.More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK began fighting for a Kurdish homeland in south-eastern Turkey in 1984.
Ankara says as many as 3,000 PKK members use northern Iraq as a safe haven.Ankara says as many as 3,000 PKK members use northern Iraq as a safe haven.
The US, the EU and Turkey consider the PKK to be a terrorist organisation.The US, the EU and Turkey consider the PKK to be a terrorist organisation.