Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Turk PM confirms plan to allow army operation in Iraq

(Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan confirmed on Wednesday his government was drawing up plans to authorise a military incursion into northern Iraq to fight Kurdish rebels using the region as a base.

Erdogan is under pressure to act after rebel attacks which have killed 15 soldiers since Sunday, but political analysts say a major cross-border operation remains unlikely.

A major military incursion would strain ties with the United States and the European Union, which Ankara hopes to join, and could undermine regional stability. Russia also urged restraint.

Asked about his plans as he arrived at parliament, Erdogan told reporters: "(Preparations on the proposal) have started and are continuing."

Parliament, where Erdogan's ruling centre-right AK Party has a big majority, would have to grant its permission to troops to cross the border into Iraq. Passing the measure would not automatically mean Turkish troops going into northern Iraq.....

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