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| Iraq |
| Turkey, Iraq sign security accord without clause on rebel Kurds |
| 2007-09-29 |
| Turkey and Iraq signed on Friday a security anti-terrorism accord that did not include an article on Turkish military operations against rebel Kurds in northern Iraq. The agreement was signed by Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad Al-Bolani and Turkish counterpart Besir Atalay. Although grueling talks were held for three days, the two sides did not agree on allowing Turkish troops to penetrate into northern Iraq to crack down members of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). During a joint press conference after signing the deal, Atalay said "It was not possible to reach a deal on chasing Kurdish rebels. However, we hope this issue will be solved in the future." He noted, "We are expecting this cooperation against terrorism to be broadened as much as possible." The accord also included holding follow-up meetings every six months, as well as forming a joint liaison bureau to monitor PKK activities, added Atalay. Iraqi Kurds rejected adding another article stipulating handing over PKK leaders to Turkish authorities. |
| Posted by:Seafarious |