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U.S. envoy arrives in Turkey for more
talks on countering the PKK
11.10.2006 |
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ANKARA, Turkey,
October 11,-- A U.S. special envoy for countering
the autonomy-seeking Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK,
arrived in Ankara Wednesday to discuss measures
toward eliminating rebel bases in northern Iraq.
Retired Gen. Joseph Ralston, a former NATO Supreme
Allied Commander, was scheduled to meet with his
Turkish counterpart, former Gen. Edip Baser, as well
as Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and other officials
during his two-day visit. It is Ralston's second
visit to Turkey since his appointment in August.
Turkey has long been pressing the United States to
crack down on rebel bases in northern Iraq, across
the border from Turkey.
His appointment was a sign that the U.S. government
is giving higher priority to Turkish concerns about
the PKK presence in Iraq. It followed repeated
veiled threats from Turkey that it could take action
against the PKK in Kurdistan Region (Iraq). |
U.S Retired Gen. Joseph Ralston |
The U.S. has warned Turkey against pursuing the
rebels into northern Iraq, fearing an incursion
would alienate Iraqi Kurds, the most pro-American
group in the region.
The PKK has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's
largely Kurdish southeast since 1984 in a fight that
has left some 37,000 dead.
The group is considered a terrorist organization by
the United States and the European Union. It
declared a unilateral cease-fire which came into
effect on Oct. 1 following a surge of violence that
left more than a dozen soldiers and policemen dead
and injured tourists over a period of a few weeks.
But Turkey has ignored the truce and has vowed to
fight on until all rebels surrenders or are killed.
In an interview with NTV television late Tuesday,
Baser would not elaborate on measures he would
discuss with Ralston but said the steps would not be
"immediately visible" and urged patience. Baser said
there were several ways to combat terrorism,
including cutting off all political, financial and
logistical support.
Ralston said during a visit last month that military
action against the PKK would be the last option to
consider.
AP
The use of the term "Kurdistan" is vigorously
rejected due to its alleged political implications
by the Republic of Turkey, which does not recognize
the existence of a "Turkish Kurdistan".
Others estimate as many as 40 million Kurds live in
Big Kurdistan (Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Iran, Armenia),
which covers an area as big as France, about half of
all Kurds which estimate to 20 million live in
Turkey.
The Kurdish flag flown officially in Iraqi Kurdistan but
unofficially flown by Kurds in Armenia. The flag is
banned in Iran, Syria, and Turkey where flying it is
a criminal offence"
Southeastern Turkey:
North Kurdistan (
Kurdistan-Turkey) wikipedia
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