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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 Turkish operations in northern Iraq must end as soon as possible.
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. Mr Gates, speaking ahead of a visit to Ankara, said US concerns about the assault against Kurdish militants had been made clear at the highest levels.
Separately, a Turkish envoy has arrived in Iraq for talks, Iraqi sources say. Separately, a Turkish envoy arrived in Iraq for talks, Iraqi sources said.
Turkish officials say 77 rebels were killed overnight, bringing the militant toll to 230 since the offensive began. Turkish officials say 77 rebels were killed overnight, bringing the militant toll to 230 since the offensive began. Turkey had lost 24 soldiers, they said.
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. Five died in the latest clashes, as well as three pro-government "village guards".
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.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' Intelligence help
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 to the BBC in Delhi before leaving for Turkey, Mr Gates said the Turkish military operation against PKK bases should be very short and very precisely targeted.
He added: "They have to be mindful of Iraqi sovereignty. Then, he added, the Turks should withdraw back across the border.
"I measure quick in terms of days, a week or two, something like that, not months." "They cannot solve the PKK terrorist problem which is a very real one from the Turks' standpoint," he said.
He also said he would repeat his warning to Turkish leaders that military activity alone would not solve the problem. "A lot of innocent Turks have been killed by these terrorists. But they can't solve that problem entirely by military means and they need to begin thinking about what they're going to do in the non-military arena."
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. He said the US had provided additional intelligence and reconnaissance help to Turkey, but would also be ready to offer non-military solutions to the problem.
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 their campaign 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.