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Turkey rejects Iraq's PKK offer | Turkey rejects Iraq's PKK offer |
(about 18 hours later) | |
Turkey has dismissed a range of proposals from Iraq on dealing with Kurdish rebels, saying they will take too long to work. | Turkey has dismissed a range of proposals from Iraq on dealing with Kurdish rebels, saying they will take too long to work. |
The foreign ministry said more urgent action was needed than that offered by an Iraqi delegation, which is in Ankara to try to resolve the dispute. | The foreign ministry said more urgent action was needed than that offered by an Iraqi delegation, which is in Ankara to try to resolve the dispute. |
The visit is an attempt to avert a threatened Turkish ground attack on Kurdistan Workers' Party bases in Iraq. | The visit is an attempt to avert a threatened Turkish ground attack on Kurdistan Workers' Party bases in Iraq. |
Turkey gave the Iraqis a list of PKK rebels and demanded their extradition. | Turkey gave the Iraqis a list of PKK rebels and demanded their extradition. |
'Criminals' | 'Criminals' |
The Iraqi delegation, including Defence Minister Abdul-Qader Mohammed Jassim and US officials from the embassy in Baghdad, held talks with Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. | The Iraqi delegation, including Defence Minister Abdul-Qader Mohammed Jassim and US officials from the embassy in Baghdad, held talks with Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. |
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 2004Called a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the EU and US | |
Afterwards, the Turkish foreign ministry praised the Iraqi team for its "sincere" and "well-intentioned" approach. | Afterwards, the Turkish foreign ministry praised the Iraqi team for its "sincere" and "well-intentioned" approach. |
But it said the Iraqi ideas would "take a long time to put into action". | But it said the Iraqi ideas would "take a long time to put into action". |
"Turkey expects urgent and determined measures in the fight against the PKK." | "Turkey expects urgent and determined measures in the fight against the PKK." |
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Ankara says Iraq's promises to close Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) offices do not go far enough for Turkey. | The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Ankara says Iraq's promises to close Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) offices do not go far enough for Turkey. |
Turkey wants the mountain bases of the group in the far north of Iraq closed and the leadership handed over, he says. | Turkey wants the mountain bases of the group in the far north of Iraq closed and the leadership handed over, he says. |
The furthest the Iraqis appear prepared to go is to disrupt the movement of the PKK and close offices related to its activities, our correspondent says. | The furthest the Iraqis appear prepared to go is to disrupt the movement of the PKK and close offices related to its activities, our correspondent says. |
Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said a list of PKK members had been handed to the Iraqi delegation. | Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said a list of PKK members had been handed to the Iraqi delegation. |
It was not immediately clear how many names it contained, but Mr Cicek said every PKK member in northern Iraq "is guilty. They are criminals at least for being a member of a terrorist group. We want all of them to be handed over." | It was not immediately clear how many names it contained, but Mr Cicek said every PKK member in northern Iraq "is guilty. They are criminals at least for being a member of a terrorist group. We want all of them to be handed over." |
Calls for restraint | Calls for restraint |
Turkey has warned it will not tolerate more cross-border raids by PKK rebels. | Turkey has warned it will not tolerate more cross-border raids by PKK rebels. |
Its military has been shelling suspected rebel bases after massing troops along the border in recent days. | Its military has been shelling suspected rebel bases after massing troops along the border in recent days. |
On Friday, Turkish jets and helicopters carried out bombing raids on PKK positions along the border but it is unclear whether they ventured inside Iraq. | On Friday, Turkish jets and helicopters carried out bombing raids on PKK positions along the border but it is unclear whether they ventured inside Iraq. |
The Iraqi delegation's visit comes amid intense diplomatic pressure on Turkey to show restraint. | The Iraqi delegation's visit comes amid intense diplomatic pressure on Turkey to show restraint. |
Tensions reached boiling point last Sunday after the PKK attacked a Turkish military patrol, killing 12 soldiers. Turkey has confirmed another eight are missing. | Tensions reached boiling point last Sunday after the PKK attacked a Turkish military patrol, killing 12 soldiers. Turkey has confirmed another eight are missing. |
Under public pressure to act, Turkish officials have made clear the talks could be the last chance to avert serious military action. | Under public pressure to act, Turkish officials have made clear the talks could be the last chance to avert serious military action. |
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. |
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. | 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. |
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