Iraqi-Turkish talks produce no resultOctober 27, 2007 - 16:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - 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 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. The Iraqi delegation, including Defense Minister Abdul-Qader Mohammed Jassim and US officials from the embassy in Baghdad, held talks with Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. 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". "Turkey expects urgent and determined measures in the fight against the PKK." 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. 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. 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." 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. 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. 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. 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 organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU - is thought to have about 3,000 rebels based in Iraq, BBC reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |