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Turkey and Iraq hold crisis talks Turkey and Iraq hold crisis talks
(about 4 hours later)
Iraqi delegates are holding talks with Turkish officials in Ankara to try to prevent an incursion by Turkish ground forces against Kurdish rebels in Iraq. Iraqi delegates are in crunch talks with Turkish officials in Ankara to try to avert an incursion by Turkish ground forces against Kurdish rebels in Iraq.
Turkey says it will not tolerate further cross-border attacks by Kurdish PKK rebels.Turkey says it will not tolerate further cross-border attacks by Kurdish PKK rebels.
The Turkish military has been carrying out strikes against the rebels near its border with Iraq. The Turkish military has been pounding suspected rebel bases after massing troops along the border in recent days.
Iraq's Defence Minister, Abdul-Qader Mohammed Jassim, said he had concrete proposals to offer at the talks. An Iraqi defence ministry spokesman told reporters there had been "positive results" so far from the crisis talks.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Ankara says Turkey wants to know what the Kurds, who control northern Iraq, propose. Iraqi Defence Minister Abdul-Qader Mohammed Jassim had earlier pledged to table concrete proposals to resolve the dispute to the Turkish side.
He says the Kurds have until now displayed little interest in helping Turkey, but that Turkish threats backed up by the presence of tens of thousands of troops on the border may change this. Last chance?
We need more than words Ali BabacanTurkish Foreign Minister The Iraqi delegation, accompanied by US officials from the embassy in Baghdad, arrived in Ankara on Thursday amid intense diplomatic pressure for Turkey to show restraint. The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Ankara says the Iraqi defence and national security ministers are thought to have returned to their guest house after 90 minutes of discussions.
It has threatened to mount a ground offensive across the border to flush out fighters from the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, if diplomatic efforts fail. It is believed that if both sides think there is enough substance to proceed, then the full 11-man Iraqi delegation will meet Turkish officials later in the day, he adds.
'Determined' THE PKK Formed in late 1970sLaunched armed struggle in 1984Dropped independence demands in 1990sWants greater autonomy for Turkey's KurdsLeader Abdullah Ocalan arrested in 1999Ended five-year ceasefire in 2004
In unusually blunt comments, Turkish officials have said the talks could be the last chance to avert more serious military action. The Iraqi delegation, accompanied by US officials from the embassy in Baghdad, arrived in Ankara on Thursday amid intense diplomatic pressure for Turkey to show restraint.
Tensions reached boiling point last Sunday after the PKK attacked a Turkish military patrol, killing 12 soldiers and capturing eight.
Under public pressure to act, Turkish officials have made clear the talks could be the last chance to avert serious military action.
"Although we respect the territorial integrity and unity of Iraq, Turkey is running out of patience and will not tolerate the use of Iraqi soil for the purpose of terrorist activities," Turkish President Abdullah Gul said."Although we respect the territorial integrity and unity of Iraq, Turkey is running out of patience and will not tolerate the use of Iraqi soil for the purpose of terrorist activities," Turkish President Abdullah Gul said.
"We are totally determined to take all necessary steps to end this threat."
THE PKK Formed in late 1970sLaunched armed struggle in 1984Dropped independence demands in 1990sWants greater autonomy for Turkey's KurdsLeader Abdullah Ocalan arrested in 1999Ended five-year ceasefire in 2004 Earlier in the week, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said that "preventing the PKK from using Iraqi soil, an end to logistical support and all PKK activities inside Iraq and closing of its camps" were needed.
He also said the PKK's leaders had to be arrested and extradited to Turkey.
Turkish military and civilian leaders have also recommended economic measures against northern Iraq, which relies heavily on Turkey for food and electricity.Turkish military and civilian leaders have also recommended economic measures against northern Iraq, which relies heavily on Turkey for food and electricity.
In recent days, Turkey has been building up its military presence on the border with Iraq, while PKK rebels have stepped up their attacks against Turkish troops. The PKK - which is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US, and the EU - is thought to have about 3,000 rebels based in Iraq.
There are thought to be about 3,000 PKK rebels based in Iraq. They have been blamed for a number of cross-border raids.
Turkey, the US, and the EU describe the PKK as a terrorist organisation.
Turkish leaders have come under intense pressure from the public and the media to use force.