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Time is running out, Turkey tells Iraq

DUBAI: Turkey has urged Iraq to come out with concrete proposals to tackle the crisis resulting from Sunday’s cross-border ambush of Turkish troops by Kurdish rebels of the PKK.

Speaking ahead of a visit to Turkey by a high-level delegation from Iraq, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said his country was “expecting them to come with concrete proposals and otherwise the visit will have no meaning”. “We need more than words. We said that preventing the PKK from using Iraqi soil, an end to logistical support and all PKK activities inside Iraq and closing of its camps are needed.” Mr. Babacan pointed out that PKK leaders “need to be arrested and extradited to Turkey.”

The PKK has established sanctuaries in northern Iraq’s Kandil mountains and has stepped up border attacks on Turkish forces. The PKK rebels killed 12 Turkish soldiers and seized at least eight on October 21. Reinforcing Mr. Babacan’s remarks, Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul said Ankara’s patience was running out. “We are totally determined to take all necessary steps to end this threat,” he added. The Iraqi Defence Minister leads the delegation.

Meanwhile, the semi-official Anatolia news agency said Turkish jets had bombed PKK positions.

Turkey is under considerable American pressure to exercise restraint. But speaking in Romania, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it was up to Ankara and not Washington to find a solution .

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