Iraq FM says PKK presence illegitimate

[Stillw8n]

Iraq FM says PKK presence illegitimate

Politics 10/13/2011 6:41:00 PM



ANKARA, Oct 13 (KUNA) -- The presence of Kurdish rebels in north Iraq is "illegitimate", the visiting Iraqi foreign minister said on Thursday.
"The presence of PKK elements in mountainous areas is not legitimate under the Iraqi Constitution," Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told a joint news conference with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu during an official visit to Turkey. "This is unacceptable," he said. But the problem of the Kurdistan Workers' Party could only be resolved through "good neighbourly relations" between Turkey and Iraq, he added. Ankara has repeatedly urged the Iraqi government not to allow its territory to be used as a springboard by the PKK for attacks in Turkey. For his part, the Turkish foreign minister said: "We no longer have any patience with terrorist activities emanating from the Iraqi territory and threatening Turkey." "We are determined to take the most effective measures," he warned.
Davutoglu said: "If Iraq is able to militarily control its own territory and prevent the terror threat targeting Turkey, then there will be no need for any cross-border operation." The PKK, listed as a terrorist group by Ankara and much of the international community, took up arms in Kurdish-majority southeast Turkey in 1984, sparking a conflict that has claimed about 45,000 lives. (end) mm.mt KUNA 131841 Oct 11NNNN





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