Do not pursue PKK rebels, Zebari tells Turkey
Posted on: Sunday, 24 July 2005, 06:04 CDT
AMMAN (Reuters) - Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari warned Turkey on Sunday against military incursions to pursue Kurdistan Workers Party rebels using northern Iraq as a base, saying this could destabilize Iraq.
Zebari told Reuters U.S. forces in Iraq were poised to capture the rebels, who have waged a violent campaign against Turkey to win Kurdish self-determination for decades.
"They are in regions outside the control of the central and Kurdish government. If they move the American forces could arrest them. We have an obligation to Turkey and to control all non-Iraqi armed groups and prevent them from activities against neighboring countries," he said.
"We refuse any regional military interference in Iraqi affairs, whether Turkish, Iranian or Arab, because it destroys confidence and shifts the focus when our priority is finishing the political process, improving the security situation and providing basic services," Zebari said in an interview.
General Ilker Basbug of the Turkish General Staff said last week the United States had given orders for the capture of PKK rebels in Iraq, adding that Turkey had a right to enter Iraqi territory to attack them if no action was taken.
Source: REUTERS
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