Iraq pledges incursion is imminent if rebels not quelled

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-24-2007 14:09

The shadow of a man is pictured on a Turkish flag as he chants slogans against PKK. Amid a diplomatic push Tuesday to prevent Turkish military action in northern Iraq.(Reuters)

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warns his country cannot wait forever for Baghdad to act against rebels in northern Iraq. Erdogan was in Britain for talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown over the worsening situation in northern Iraq.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "We have some expectation with respect to what is to be done about the terrorist organization in the north (of Iraq). The Iraqi government must know that we can exercise this mandate which we have received from the Turkish parliament at any time."

Erdogan was referring to a motion passed by Turkey's Parliament last week. The motion authorizes the military to launch an offensive into northern Iraq to stamp out PKK rebels there.

But Erdogan hinted that any action would be taken in consultation with Turkey's Western allies. Britain has backed the United States in trying to keep Turkey from attacking Kurdish rebels based inside northern Iraq. But Brown promised to work hard with the Turkish government in trying to counter PKK violence.

On Tuesday, thousands of Turks gathered for the funerals of 12 soldiers killed in a weekend attack. They denounced the guerrillas and called on the government to take tough action against the group.

In response to Sunday's rebel attack, the military says Turkish troops killed 34 guerrillas.