Gates calls for quick end to Turkey's Iraq operation

[ck4829]

Turkey must limit its military operations against Kurdish guerrillas in northern Iraq to days or a couple of weeks rather than months, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Wednesday.

Gates, who is due to meet Turkish officials in Ankara on Thursday, said Turkey should not rely on military action alone in dealing with guerrillas in the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), but also find ways to improve economic and social conditions.

"It's very important that the Turks make this operation as short as possible and then leave, and to be mindful of Iraqi sovereignty," Gates told reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday before leaving for Ankara.

"I measure quick in terms of days, a week or two, something like that. Not months," he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080227/pl_nm/turkey_iraq_gates_dc

[Ghost in the Machine]

1. You beat me to it...

Gates to Turks: End Iraq Incursion Soon
Published: 2/27/08, 5:05 AM EDT
By LOLITA C. BALDOR

NEW DELHI (AP) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates headed for Ankara late Wednesday with a message for Turkish leaders: Get your troops out of northern Iraq in the next few days.

"It's very important that the Turks make this operation as short as possible and then leave," Gates said before departing India. "They have to be mindful of Iraqi sovereignty. I measure quick in terms of days, a week or two, something like that, not months."

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?bfromind=8388&eeid=5709220&_sitecat=1504&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=2&ck=&ch=ne

"They have to be mindful of Iraqi sovereignty".

ohhhhh, the freakin' IRONY is killing me here!

[onethatcares]

2. being mindful of Iraq soveriegnty, Turkey said

Gates should go the hell home and mind his own business. Who is Gates to be "mindful of Iraq sovereriegnty".

I tell ya, the irony can't get any thicker than this.

(Ghost, great minds do think alike:toast: )