Turkish official: US will urge Iraq NOT to oppose a likely cross-border operation by Turkey.

[Flabbergasted]

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=125307

US taking steps to avoid friendly fire in N. Iraq

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rica has requested three days from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to allow the withdrawal of US troops from northern Iraq to prevent a possible confrontation of Turkish and US troops in the event Turkey starts an incursion into northern Iraq to strike against bases of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist organization, a Turkish official said.

The official, who wished to remain anonymous, also said the US will urge the central Iraqi government and the regional authority in northern Iraq not to oppose a likely cross-border operation by Turkey. The same source added that there is no plan to deliver PKK leaders to Turkey. However, the US could turn a blind eye to Turkey's operations, the source said.

Erdoğan told a news conference on Sunday after a crisis meeting with top civilian and military leaders that Turkey expected concrete steps to be taken by US authorities against the PKK after his talks with Rice. He spoke with Rice over the phone during the meeting. At a press conference following the meeting, Erdoğan said he told Rice that Turkey expected "speedy steps from the US" in cracking down on the PKK and that Rice had asked "for a few days" from him.


more...