PKK-Turkey ceasefire to be ovserved

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-23-2007 08:30

People shout slogans against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Ankara October 22, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The separatist Kurdish Workers' Party, or PKK,in northern Iraq says a unilateral ceasefire with the Turkish government will go into effect as of Monday evening. This comes as Turkey has deployed as many as 100,000 troops along its border with Iraq in anticipation of a possible incursion.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said on Monday that the PKK would announce a ceasefire with the Turkish government.

Later in the day, an official in charge of the PKK's foreign relations confirmed the ceasefire.

But the Kurdish rebels also said the ceasefire would depend on Turkish troops exercising restraint.

Meanwhile, dozens of Turkish military vehicles loaded with soldiers and heavy weapons rumbled towards the Iraqi border on Monday. This followed a Sunday ambush by rebel Kurds that left eight soldiers missing and 12 others dead.

Meanwhile, Turkey's prime minister says his country will pursue diplomacy before it sends troops across the rugged frontier.

On Wednesday, the Turkish parliament passed a motion submitted by the Turkish government. It gives the green light for cross-border military operations into northern Iraq to fight against the PKK based there.

The United States opposes any unilateral action by Turkey, fearing it could destabilize the most stable part of Iraq.

In Washington, the State Department says the US is making an all-out diplomatic push to urge Turkey not to invade northern Iraq.