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[Turkey (( *]

US cautions Turkey against cross-border military action

The United States on Monday warned Turkey against pursuing Kurdish militants across the border into Iraq, saying it would be a difficult operation that could have "unintended consequences."

While Turkey defends its border with Iraq and works with the United States to counter terror by Kurdish militants, "cross- border military action" would be a mistake, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said

Fried made the remarks in response to questions after he delivered a speech on US relations with Turkey to the Washington Institute of Near East Policy, a private research group.

On Saturday, a bomb destroyed a minibus in an Aegean beach resort, killing five people. The military wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), classified by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organization, said it had nothing to do with the bombing.

But the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons Organization, a hardline group believed to be linked to the PKK, claimed responsibility for a bombing attack in the nearby resort of Cesme that wounded 21 people.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week Turkey reserved the right to send troops into Iraq in pursuit of Kurdish militants but had no immediate plans to take such action.

Turks worry the war in Iraq could lead to Iraq's disintegration and creation of a Kurdish state in the northern areas. That could embolden Kurds in southeastern Turkey, where the Turkish army has been battling Kurdish rebels since 1984. The fight has left 37,000 dead.

What do you think about this??

[2fan]

US cautions Turkey against cross-border military action

The United States on Monday warned Turkey against pursuing Kurdish militants across the border into Iraq, saying it would be a difficult operation that could have "unintended consequences."

While Turkey defends its border with Iraq and works with the United States to counter terror by Kurdish militants, "cross- border military action" would be a mistake, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said

Fried made the remarks in response to questions after he delivered a speech on US relations with Turkey to the Washington Institute of Near East Policy, a private research group.

I think the Turks, if no alternative is left, will cross the border.

On Saturday, a bomb destroyed a minibus in an Aegean beach resort, killing five people. The military wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), classified by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organization, said it had nothing to do with the bombing.

But the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons Organization, a hardline group believed to be linked to the PKK, claimed responsibility for a bombing attack in the nearby resort of Cesme that wounded 21 people.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week Turkey reserved the right to send troops into Iraq in pursuit of Kurdish militants but had no immediate plans to take such action.

Turks worry the war in Iraq could lead to Iraq's disintegration and creation of a Kurdish state in the northern areas. That could embolden Kurds in southeastern Turkey, where the Turkish army has been battling Kurdish rebels since 1984. The fight has left 37,000 dead.

What do you think about this??

[2fan]

US cautions Turkey against cross-border military action

The United States on Monday warned Turkey against pursuing Kurdish militants across the border into Iraq, saying it would be a difficult operation that could have "unintended consequences."

While Turkey defends its border with Iraq and works with the United States to counter terror by Kurdish militants, "cross- border military action" would be a mistake, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said

Fried made the remarks in response to questions after he delivered a speech on US relations with Turkey to the Washington Institute of Near East Policy, a private research group.


On Saturday, a bomb destroyed a minibus in an Aegean beach resort, killing five people. The military wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), classified by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organization, said it had nothing to do with the bombing.

But the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons Organization, a hardline group believed to be linked to the PKK, claimed responsibility for a bombing attack in the nearby resort of Cesme that wounded 21 people.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week Turkey reserved the right to send troops into Iraq in pursuit of Kurdish militants but had no immediate plans to take such action.

Turks worry the war in Iraq could lead to Iraq's disintegration and creation of a Kurdish state in the northern areas. That could embolden Kurds in southeastern Turkey, where the Turkish army has been battling Kurdish rebels since 1984. The fight has left 37,000 dead.

What do you think about this??

I think the Turks, if no alternative is left, will cross the border.