T1B

Turkey approves Iraq incursion plan, allies anxious By Hidir Goktas and Gareth Jones
Wed Oct 17, 4:14 PM ET

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's parliament resoundingly approved a motion on Wednesday allowing troops to cross into northern Iraq to hunt down Kurdish rebels there, but its Western allies and Baghdad urged Ankara to refrain from military action.

As parliament voted in Ankara by 507 votes to 19 in favor of the motion, U.S. President George W. Bush said it would not be in NATO member Turkey's interests to send troops into Iraq and the Pentagon said it did not think Ankara had the appetite for such a move.

Washington fears a Turkish incursion could destabilize the most peaceful part of Iraq and possibly the wider region by encouraging others such as arch-foe Iran to intervene.

Iraq's government said on Wednesday it would send a team to Ankara for further talks to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. NATO and the European Union also urged restraint.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has played down expectations of any imminent attack but the parliamentary vote gives NATO's second biggest army the legal basis to cross the mountainous border as and when it sees fit.

"What matters is what parliament has said," Erdogan told reporters as he left the assembly after the vote.

Erdogan is under heavy public pressure to act after a series of deadly attacks on its troops by the rebels of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), who use northern Iraq as a base.

Ankara's stance has helped propel global oil prices to record highs above $88 a barrel, though they eased on Wednesday.

Fearing possible rebel sabotage, Turkey has beefed up security for a major oil pipeline carrying Caspian crude from the Azeri capital Baku via Georgia to the Turkish Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, a senior energy ministry source told Reuters.

Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek told parliament any army incursion would target only the estimated 3,000 PKK rebels in Iraq. He said Turkey would also continue to use economic and diplomatic measures in its fight against terrorism.

KURDISH SEPARATISM

Opposition parties attacked U.S. policies in the region. They repeated Turkish fears the policies would lead to the creation of an independent Kurdish state which Ankara says could reignite separatism among its own ethnic Kurdish population.

Only the small pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) spoke against the motion, arguing that military action would worsen the economic plight of Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast.

Bush repeated U.S. concerns. "They (Turkey) have had troops stationed there for quite a while. We don't think it's in their interest to send more troops in," he told a news conference.

"I don't think there is any willingness or any urgency or desire to have to solve this through military action, through a cross-border incursion into that area," said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell.

"The Turks are clearly frustrated. They're clearly angry. But I also do not think there is a great deal of appetite to take this next step," he said. "It would have enormous implications not just for us but for the Turks."

Turkey keeps a relatively small contingent of troops at several bases in northern Iraq dating back to the time of previous offensives in the 1990s. Those offensives failed to eliminate the PKK guerrillas.

The European Commission urged Turkey, a candidate for EU membership, to avoid taking unilateral action in Iraq.

"It is crucial that Turkey continues to tackle this problem through cooperation between the relevant authorities," Commission spokeswoman Krisztina Nagy said in Brussels.

Analysts say that despite its tough rhetoric Turkey may limit itself to aerial bombardment of rebel targets and small forays across the border this time, and avoid a major incursion.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki telephoned Erdogan to reiterate his commitment to combating the PKK.

Iraq's president, who is a Kurd, condemned the PKK tactics.

"We consider the activities of the PKK against the interests of the Kurdish people and against the interests of Turkey. We have asked the PKK to stop fighting and end military activity," President Jalal Talabani said during a visit to Paris.

Ankara blames the PKK, considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, for the deaths of more than 30,000 people since the group launched its armed struggle for an ethnic homeland in southeast Turkey in 1984.

mvscal wrote:I'm not sure why we should care if Turks want to kill Communists.

mvscal wrote:I'm not sure why we should care if Turks want to kill Communists.

Martyred wrote: Turkey just walked into America's favourite local bar, pinched America's girlfriend's ass (Iraq as girlfriend) and
promptly threw a drink in America's face.

Martyred wrote:
Turkey just walked into America's favourite local bar, pinched America's girlfriend's ass (Iraq as girlfriend) and
promptly threw a drink in America's face.

mvscal wrote:
Yes, Turkey is a sovereign nation. They are also a key NATO ally which hosts some mission critical infrastructure. On the other hand, there is a group of Kurdish communists and designated terrorist organizaton called the PKK.

mvscal wrote:

KC Scott wrote:

mvscal wrote:I'm not sure why we should care if Turks want to kill Communists.

Probably something to do with that whole "Soverign" nation silliness.
But I'm not really sure how Bush will feel about New Texas being invaded.

Yes, Turkey is a sovereign nation. They are also a key NATO ally which hosts some mission critical infrastructure. On the other hand, there is a group of Kurdish communists and designated terrorist organizaton called the PKK.

How much time do you need to think about this?

mvscal wrote:We're not falling for it.

mvscal wrote: It won't be too difficult to coordinate it. We've worked closely with them for years.

mvscal wrote:Ah, you're just mad the Turks are coming to kill your friends.

Martyred wrote:P.S. Waiting lines at hospitals here is a hoax. We don't wait. Don't let your own greasy, greedy cunt politicians lie to you.

KC Scott wrote:
All of the guys I talked and I do mean ALL say the exact same thing

50% of their check is gone for taxes. 50% like clockwork

Mikey wrote:I can't pass up this opportunity to reset the old joke...slightly modified.

If the Kurds invade Turkey from the rear, would Greece help?


~rimshot~

R-Jack wrote:

Martyred wrote: walked into America's favourite local bar, pinched America's girlfriend's ass (Iraq as girlfriend) and
promptly threw a drink in America's face.

Last time I checked, the proper response from America would have been a savage . A follow up may be asking how much Turkey can bench.

R-Jack wrote: A follow up may be asking how much Turkey can bench.

Martyred wrote:

mvscal wrote:I'm not sure why we should care if Turks want to kill Communists.

Turkey just walked into America's favourite local bar, pinched America's girlfriend's ass (Iraq as girlfriend) and
promptly threw a drink in America's face.

Let's see what you do about it, cowards. My guess is, nothing. Nothing at all.

Martyred wrote:They're just sucking up to the "American".

Trust me, those boot-licking, corporate lackeys sing a different tune when their kids get a boo-boo.

P.S. Waiting lines at hospitals here is a hoax. We don't wait. Don't let your own greasy, greedy cunt politicians lie to you.