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Iraq seeks talks on Turkey threat Iraq fears action 'may escalate'
(about 2 hours later)
Baghdad has called for "urgent negotiations" over Turkey's threat to carry out cross-border raids against Kurdish rebels. Unilateral action by Turkey in Iraq could have "very grave consequences" and set a worrying precedent, Iraq's deputy prime minister has warned.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki held an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday to discuss the crisis. Barham Saleh told the BBC such action could destabilise the region and prompt other neighbouring states to step in.
"The Iraqi government calls on the Turkish government to hold urgent talks," said Mr Maliki's spokesman. Turkey has said its patience has run out over the handling of Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq.
But Turkey has said its patience has run out over the handling of Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq. It is seeking parliamentary permission for a cross-border operation to pursue Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) members.
Turkey is seeking parliamentary permission for a cross-border operation to hunt down Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) members. The government must put a thick wall between themselves and the terrorist organisation Tayyip Erdogan Turkish Prime Minister class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7044760.stm">Profile: PKK rebel group class="" href="either url here">Send us your comments
Ankara argues the group is a terrorist organisation responsible for the deaths of at least 15 Turkish soldiers in the past two weeks, and says the Kurdish separatists enjoy freedom of movement in northern Iraq.Ankara argues the group is a terrorist organisation responsible for the deaths of at least 15 Turkish soldiers in the past two weeks, and says the Kurdish separatists enjoy freedom of movement in northern Iraq.
Iraqi Vice-President Tareq Hashemi has arrived in Ankara in an attempt to dissuade Turkey from staging a cross-border offensive. Baghdad has called for "urgent negotiations" over Turkey's threat and has dispatched Iraqi Vice-President Tareq Hashemi to Ankara for talks with Turkish leaders.
The Sunni vice president was expected to discuss "all aspects of bilateral ties" with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul, a Turkish diplomat told AFP. Iraq alarmed
'Multiple operations' Mr Saleh warned that any cross-border operation could have destabilising effects.
Ankara says the PKK are terrorists who move freely in northern Iraq
"Any unilateral action by the Turkish military in violation of Iraqi border will be a terrible precedent for everybody," he said in the BBC interview.
"If Turkey as a neighbour of Iraq allows itself the right to intervene militarily in Iraq, what is there to prevent other neighbours from intervening?"
Meanwhile, the head of the UN refugee agency said he was deeply concerned that the Turkish action could lead to big displacements of people.
UNHCR chief Antonio Guterres said the "relatively stable" area had until now acted as a haven for Iraqis displaced from other parts of the country.
Mr Erdogan's AK Party, which has a parliamentary majority, is expected to vote in favour of the motion on Wednesday.
If passed, the vote will authorise cross-border operations for one year with the government deciding on the timing, scope and frequency of any incursions.
The Turkish province of Sirnak is at the heart of the 23-year-old conflict between the military and Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) guerrillas.
Turkey hopes it will not be forced to resort to military action, even if its motion gained approval in parliament, Mr Erdogan said on Tuesday.Turkey hopes it will not be forced to resort to military action, even if its motion gained approval in parliament, Mr Erdogan said on Tuesday.
The government must put a thick wall between themselves and the terrorist organisation Tayyip Erdogan Turkish Prime Minister Profile: PKK rebel group
"I sincerely wish that this motion will never be applied," he said in televised comments."I sincerely wish that this motion will never be applied," he said in televised comments.
"Passage of this motion does not mean an immediate incursion will follow.""Passage of this motion does not mean an immediate incursion will follow."
Mr Erdogan's AK Party, which has a parliamentary majority, is expected to vote in favour of the motion on Wednesday.
If passed, the vote will authorise cross-border operations for one year with the government deciding on the timing, scope and frequency of any incursions.
Ankara says the PKK are terrorists who move freely in northern Iraq
Mr Erdogan called on Iraq's government and the regional administration in the country's north to crack down on the rebels, saying they should "build a thick wall between themselves and terrorist organisations".Mr Erdogan called on Iraq's government and the regional administration in the country's north to crack down on the rebels, saying they should "build a thick wall between themselves and terrorist organisations".
He added that any military operation would respect Iraq's territorial integrity and only target the rebels.He added that any military operation would respect Iraq's territorial integrity and only target the rebels.
Kurdish protests
Jamal Abdallah, a spokesman for the government of Iraqi Kurdistan, told the BBC there was no co-operation with the PKK.Jamal Abdallah, a spokesman for the government of Iraqi Kurdistan, told the BBC there was no co-operation with the PKK.
"We have not helped the PKK and we are not helping it," he said. "Their bases are not under the control of the Kurdistan regional authorities." "We have not helped the PKK and we are not helping it," he said.
"Their bases are not under the control of the Kurdistan regional authorities."
Iraq signed a counter-terrorism pact with Turkey last month, but opposes any military incursion into its territory.Iraq signed a counter-terrorism pact with Turkey last month, but opposes any military incursion into its territory.
The US has also warned Ankara against ordering any incursions into Iraq.The US has also warned Ankara against ordering any incursions into Iraq.