Turkey hopes to combat Kurds with U.S. and Iraqi assistanceJune 22, 2007 - 16:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that his government would authorize a military cross-border operation into northern Iraq to crack down on PKK terrorists if required."We are continuing discussions with the armed forces. If needed we will take the necessary steps (for a cross-border operation) because we cannot allow the PKK to carry out attacks any longer," Erdogan said in an interview aboard his plane during campaigning in eastern Turkey late on Tuesday, Cihan News Agency reports. Ankara, a key U.S. ally in NATO, wants Iraqi authorities and the United States to crack down on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which attacks targets inside Turkey from bases in mountainous, mainly Kurdish northern Iraq. Asked whether he believed Iraqi and U.S. authorities would honor promises to combat the PKK, Erdogan -- speaking via an interpreter -- gave a lukewarm response: "I wish to remain positive." 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. |