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Turkey and Iraq hold crisis talks Crunch talks for Turkey and Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
Iraqi delegates are in crunch talks with Turkish officials in Ankara to try to avert an incursion by Turkish ground forces against Kurdish rebels in Iraq. A high-level Iraqi delegation is in Ankara with US officials making a last ditch bid to avert a threatened Turkish ground attack on rebel bases in Iraq.
Turkey says it will not tolerate further cross-border attacks by Kurdish PKK rebels. The final day of crisis talks comes as Turkey warned it would not tolerate more cross-border raids by PKK rebels.
The Turkish military has been pounding suspected rebel bases after massing troops along the border in recent days. The Turkish military has been shelling suspected rebel bases after massing troops along the border in recent days.
An Iraqi defence ministry spokesman told reporters there had been "positive results" so far from the crisis talks. An Iraqi defence ministry spokesman told reporters there had been "positive results" so far from the talks.
Iraqi Defence Minister Abdul-Qader Mohammed Jassim had earlier pledged to table concrete proposals to resolve the dispute to the Turkish side. The Iraqis arrived on Thursday in the Turkish capital, accompanied by US officials from the embassy in Baghdad, pledging to propose concrete proposals to resolve the dispute.
Last chance?Last chance?
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Ankara says the Iraqi defence and national security ministers are thought to have returned to their guest house after 90 minutes of discussions. On Friday morning, Iraqi Defence Minister Abdul-Qader Mohammed Jassim met Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. The Iraqi national security and Turkish interior ministers were also present.
It is believed that if both sides think there is enough substance to proceed, then the full 11-man Iraqi delegation will meet Turkish officials later in the day, he adds. The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Ankara says it is believed that if both sides agree, then the full 11-man Iraqi delegation will meet Turkish officials later in the day.
THE PKK Formed in late 1970sLaunched armed struggle in 1984Dropped independence demands in 1990sWants greater autonomy for Turkey's KurdsLeader Abdullah Ocalan arrested in 1999Ended five-year ceasefire in 2004THE PKK Formed in late 1970sLaunched armed struggle in 1984Dropped independence demands in 1990sWants greater autonomy for Turkey's KurdsLeader Abdullah Ocalan arrested in 1999Ended five-year ceasefire in 2004
The Iraqi delegation, accompanied by US officials from the embassy in Baghdad, arrived in Ankara on Thursday amid intense diplomatic pressure for Turkey to show restraint. The two days of talks comes amid intense diplomatic pressure on Turkey to show restraint.
Tensions reached boiling point last Sunday after the PKK attacked a Turkish military patrol, killing 12 soldiers and capturing eight.Tensions reached boiling point last Sunday after the PKK attacked a Turkish military patrol, killing 12 soldiers and capturing eight.
Under public pressure to act, Turkish officials have made clear the talks could be the last chance to avert serious military action.Under public pressure to act, Turkish officials have made clear the talks could be the last chance to avert serious military action.
"Although we respect the territorial integrity and unity of Iraq, Turkey is running out of patience and will not tolerate the use of Iraqi soil for the purpose of terrorist activities," Turkish President Abdullah Gul said."Although we respect the territorial integrity and unity of Iraq, Turkey is running out of patience and will not tolerate the use of Iraqi soil for the purpose of terrorist activities," Turkish President Abdullah Gul said.
Turkish military and civilian leaders have also recommended economic measures against northern Iraq, which relies heavily on Turkey for food and electricity.Turkish military and civilian leaders have also recommended economic measures against northern Iraq, which relies heavily on Turkey for food and electricity.
The PKK - which is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US, and the EU - is thought to have about 3,000 rebels based in Iraq.The PKK - which is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US, and the EU - is thought to have about 3,000 rebels based in Iraq.