From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Parliament speaker warns Turkey against interfering in Iraq's affairs
BAGHDAD: The fiery speaker of Iraq's parliament on Friday joined the increasingly heated war of words with Turkey, warning Ankara that "the hand that reaches out to interfere in our internal affairs will be cut."
Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, speaking during an extraordinary Friday session a day after a suicide bomber killed one lawmaker in the parliament dining hall, also issued strong backing for a Kurdish leader who has been at the center of the angry debate over Turkish challenges on the future status of Kirkuk, the oil rich city in northern Iraq.
Al-Mashhadani issued the rhetorical threat one day after Turkey's military asked the government to approve attacks on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq — a signal of growing frustration over a lack of action against the guerrillas by Iraqi and U.S. forces.
"An operation into Iraq is necessary," said Turkish chief of the armed forces Gen. Yasar Buyukanit.
Al-Mashhadani fired back that "the hand that will be extended to interfere in our internal affairs will be cut, if not today then tomorrow. If neighboring, friendly and brotherly countries have good intentions they should help us."
More
http://en.rian.ru/world/20070413/63613688.html
Al-Mashhadani issued the rhetorical threat one day after Turkey's military asked the government to approve attacks on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq — a signal of growing frustration over a lack of action against the guerrillas by Iraqi and U.S. forces.
"An operation into Iraq is necessary," said Turkish chief of the armed forces Gen. Yasar Buyukanit.
Al-Mashhadani fired back that "the hand that will be extended to interfere in our internal affairs will be cut, if not today then tomorrow. If neighboring, friendly and brotherly countries have good intentions they should help us."
More
http://en.rian.ru/world/20070413/63613688.html
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network
"Our hope and the interest of all involved is that possible differences are dealt with in a peaceful and constructive manner," EU spokeswoman for enlargement Krisztina Nagy told reporters.
Nagy did not comment directly on a statement by armed forces chief of staff General Yasar Buyukanit that a military operation in northern Iraq appeared necessary but required political authorization.
Nagy said the European Union was watching events closely. Turkey is currently negotiating to join the 27-nation bloc.
"The stability of Iraq is in our common interest and the EU recognizes the constructive role Turkey plays in the area," said Nagy, adding: "It is important that Turkey continues to play such a constructive role. "
More
http://jurnalo.com/jurnalo/storyPage.do?story_id=29061
Washington repeatedly has cautioned Turkey against staging a cross-border offensive, fearing that it could destabilize the region and antagonize Iraqi Kurds, who are allied with the U.S.
But Iraq's government is barely able to control its own cities. U.S. commanders, who are battling the Iraqi insurgency in the middle of the country, are stretched too thin to take on Turkish Kurds hiding in remote mountains near the frontier.
On Monday, the Turkish government demanded again that U.S. and Iraqi officials crack down on guerrillas from the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.
“An operation into Iraq is necessary,” said Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, the head of Turkey's powerful military. “The PKK has huge freedom of movement in Iraq ... It has spread its roots in Iraq.”
Buyukanit said the military already was moving against separatists in the southeast.
“There are several large-scale operations under way in several areas,” Buyukanit told a press conference. “Our aim is to prevent them from taking positions in the region with the coming of spring.”
More
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20070412-0621-turkey-kurds.html