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US, Iraq, Turkey in Baghdad for talks on PKK rebels

US, Iraqi and Turkish officials held talks in Baghdad on Wednesday, in a new joint effort to combat Kurdish separatists who use Iraq as a base for strikes on Turkey.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 19:52 November 19, 2008
  • Gulf News

Baghdad: US, Iraqi and Turkish officials held talks in Baghdad on Wednesday, in a new joint effort to combat Kurdish separatists who use Iraq as a base for strikes on Turkey.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki received the Turkish delegation and promised to help Iraq's neighbour fight the separatists.

"The visit is an important step on the path of the efforts our two countries exert to fight terror," a statement from Maliki's office quoted the prime minister as saying. "It will lay down the rules to confront the terrorist PKK."

Iraqi Minister of State for National Security Shirwan Al Waeli, Turkish Interior Minister Besir Atalay and US Ambassador Ryan Crocker headed the delegations which include both civilian and military officials, the US embassy said.

The talks aim to discuss strained ties between the two neighbours because of cross border clashes.

“Turkey is an important neighbour and what harms Turkey harms us," Maliki said in the statement. "Our joint efforts will be more active in confronting this terrorist organisation."

Meanwhile, a Turkish officer was killed and at least three soldiers were wounded in clashes with Kurdish separatists in eastern Turkey on Wednesday, CNN Turk and NTV said.

Turkey has stepped up military action against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) since its guerrillas killed 17 soldiers in a raid in southeast Turkey in October

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