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US giving Turkey PKK intelligence US giving Turkey PKK intelligence
(about 10 hours later)
The US is giving Turkey "actionable intelligence" on the positions of Kurdish separatist fighters in northern Iraq, a Pentagon spokesman has said.The US is giving Turkey "actionable intelligence" on the positions of Kurdish separatist fighters in northern Iraq, a Pentagon spokesman has said.
Geoff Morrell said intelligence would be "key for any sort of military response" to the attacks on Turkey by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).Geoff Morrell said intelligence would be "key for any sort of military response" to the attacks on Turkey by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Turkey has deployed thousands of troops on the border and threatened to invade.Turkey has deployed thousands of troops on the border and threatened to invade.
Washington has been urging Ankara to show restraint in its response to the PKK, as it could destabilise Iraq. Meanwhile, the Ankara government has announced economic sanctions against groups which support the PKK.
Last week, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said his country and Turkey needed better intelligence about the location of PKK fighters in northern Iraq before launching any military strikes. Correspondents say the measures could result in a boycott of the autonomous Kurdish administration in Iraq.
The territory receives food from Turkey, as well as investment and electricity supplies.
'High standard''High standard'
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Mr Morrell said the US had given Turkey "intelligence with regards to this situation for a long time". Washington has been urging Ankara to show restraint in its response to the PKK, as any military action could destabilise Iraq.
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 Profile: The PKK Is Turkey planning invasion?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 Profile: The PKK Is Turkey planning invasion?
Last week, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said his country and Turkey needed better intelligence about the location of PKK fighters in northern Iraq before launching any military strikes.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Mr Morrell said the US had given Turkey "intelligence with regards to this situation for a long time".
"We are assisting the Turks in their efforts to combat the PKK by supplying them with intelligence, lots of intelligence," he added."We are assisting the Turks in their efforts to combat the PKK by supplying them with intelligence, lots of intelligence," he added.
"The key for any sort of military response from the Turks or anyone else is having actionable intelligence and that's a pretty high standard, and we are making efforts to help them get actionable intelligence.""The key for any sort of military response from the Turks or anyone else is having actionable intelligence and that's a pretty high standard, and we are making efforts to help them get actionable intelligence."
When asked, Mr Morrell would not say how the US was gathering the intelligence it shares with Turkey. No details were given of how the information is collected but reports suggest American manned U2 spy planes have been flying over the Turkish Iraqi border.
Earlier, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said he had not given up hope of a peaceful solution to the problems, despite the failure of crisis talks with Turkey last week.
Border tensionsBorder tensions
The Iraqi government says that it too is acting against the PKK.
Iran and Iraq have agreed to curb the activities of Kurdish rebels
Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari - a Kurd - said check points along the border with Turkey were being set up to cut off the PKK's supply lines.
He added that he had not given up hope of a peaceful solution to the problems.
Mr Zebari's comments came after he met his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, for talks in advance of a conference about Iraq on Saturday in Istanbul.Mr Zebari's comments came after he met his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, for talks in advance of a conference about Iraq on Saturday in Istanbul.
The meeting, bringing together Iraq's neighbours with major international powers and institutions, is aimed at bolstering the country's security and stability.The meeting, bringing together Iraq's neighbours with major international powers and institutions, is aimed at bolstering the country's security and stability.
Iran and Iraq have agreed to curb the activities of Kurdish rebels
Afterwards, both men stressed that the border tensions in northern Iraq should not be allowed to dominate the conference.Afterwards, both men stressed that the border tensions in northern Iraq should not be allowed to dominate the conference.
But the tensions clearly loomed large in the talks, the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says.But the tensions clearly loomed large in the talks, the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says.
The two men agreed that the activities of the PKK against Turkey, and those of another Kurdish group, Pejak, against Iran, had to be curbed.The two men agreed that the activities of the PKK against Turkey, and those of another Kurdish group, Pejak, against Iran, had to be curbed.
Mr Zebari, a Kurd, said his country was now taking concrete steps to cut the PKK's supply lines and deny its movements.
"There is an increase in checkpoints to prevent the PKK from getting food and fuel. There are measures to prevent them from reaching populated cities," he said.
Mr Zebari also said Iraq was trying to free eight Turkish soldiers captured by the PKK last week in south-east Turkey.