Turkey's military leaders to continue cross-border attacks against PKK rebelsFebruary 22, 2008 - 12:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's military and civilian leaders vowed to press ahead Thursday with cross-border attacks against Kurdish rebels in Iraq as Turkish artillery shelled suspected Kurdish rebel targets across the Iraqi border.They issued a statement after a bimonthly meeting on national security, saying cross-border attacks by the military would continue as long they were "deemed necessary." The document says that Ankara will not break off political, trade, economic and military cooperation with neighborly Iraq. Turkey stands for territorial integrity of Iraq, the military said, ITAR-TASS reports. Last October, Turkey's parliament voted overwhelmingly to authorize the nation's military forces to invade northern Iraq to hunt for some 4,000 Kurdish rebels. The PKK have struggled for formation of independent Kurdistan since 1984. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |