Iraq Vows Crackdown On Kurdish Rebels

Al-Maliki Promises To Shut Down Offices Of Rebels Staging Attacks On Turkey

(CBS/AP)  Iraq's government, under growing pressure to crack down on Kurdish rebels using the country's north as a base for guerrilla attacks in Turkey, ordered their offices closed Tuesday and promised to curb their movements and block their funds.

Turkish troops were massing along the border, with military helicopters airlifting commando units into the area overnight. Earlier Tuesday in London, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that his country cannot wait forever for the Iraqi government to move.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered the offices of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, known by its Turkish acronym PKK, closed, and said the government will "not allow it to work on Iraqi territory."

The statement from al-Maliki contradicted repeated assertions by Iraqi officials in recent days that the PKK's presence in Iraq was restricted to inaccessible parts of northern Iraq that could not be reached by authorities.

Earlier, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, himself a Kurd, said Iraq's central government and authorities in its Kurdish autonomous region in the north would work together to deny the rebels freedom of movement, funds and representative offices. He said a high-level political and military delegation would travel soon to Turkey.

Zebari insisted there was a "resolve and insistence on the part of the Iraqi government" to cooperate with Turkey to resolve the border issue "and deal with the terrorism that Turkey is subjected to."

The mix of diplomatic and military activity followed Sunday's rebel ambush near the Iraqi border that left 12 Turkish soldiers dead, 16 wounded and eight missing.

In Washington, David Satterfield - the State Department's top Iraq adviser - said leaders of the autonomous Kurdish area in northern Iraq have been lax in pursuing the rebels.

Until now, the United States had focused its public comments on Turkey, saying it should not launch a military attack onto Iraqi soil, and on the Iraqi central government in Baghdad, saying that Iraq must act against the rebels.

In his comments Tuesday, Satterfield did not directly call on the Kurdish Regional Government to use military force against the PKK but said the Kurds must cut off the PKK's movement and local means of support.

"I must tell you, and this is not anything which the Kurdish leadership is not aware of from our own voice, we are not pleased with the lack of action," Satterfield said.

Britain has backed the United States in trying to keep Turkey from crossing into Iraq to attack Kurdish rebels based there. The U.S. and others fear a Turkish attack could lead to widespread bloodshed in one of Iraq's few relatively peaceful areas.

But Turks are increasingly frustrated with the deadly rebel attacks.

"To this day, I have met the Iraqi central government four times. We have dwelled upon these issues very carefully," Erdogan said in London through an interpreter. "We waited for 14 months for this mechanism to bear fruit, but it did not, and we cannot wait forever."

Erdogan said he would continue to consult with U.S.-led forces in Iraq and the central government "whether or not they have some influence on the north," but added: "From this point forward we're also looking at the military dimension."

In Turkey, thousands gathered for the funerals of the 12 soldiers killed in the weekend ambush and to protest. Around 50,000 people marched in the western city of Aydin, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported, while some 10,000 gathered in Keskin for a soldier's funeral.

"Our patience is running out," said Ilhan Keskes, a mourner at one of the funerals, in Keskin. "The government must do something before the nation explodes."

In Baghdad, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said rebel attacks this month alone killed 42 people. He rejected any offer of a cease-fire by the PKK.

Cease-fires are "possible between states and regular forces," Babacan said. "The problem here is that we're dealing with a terrorist organization."

The PKK has called on Turkey not to attack Iraq, claiming that a unilateral rebel cease-fire declared in June was still in place although it did not halt fighting.

"The position of the PKK is that we have agreed to a cease-fire but when we are attacked by the Turkish troops we will hit back," rebel spokesman Abdul-Rahman al-Chadarchi told The Associated Press.

He said the rebels were holding eight Turkish soldiers captive and promised to treat them with respect, although he said it was "premature" to discuss conditions for their release.

"When they were attacking us, they were our enemies but now they are helpless captives whom we will take care of," al-Chadarchi said. "When the Turkish government asks for them, we can talk about conditions."

Turkish officials said the search was continuing for soldiers from Sunday's attack and would not comment on the rebels' claims.

If confirmed, the seizure would be the largest since 1995, when guerrillas grabbed eight soldiers and took them to northern Iraq before releasing them two years later.

[ramos937]

The PKK does not care about what Iraq, Americans, Turkey, etc. say. They will continue raiding into Turkey until they are stopped by Turkey. Poking holes in the sky will not do the job - only Turkey military might. In that event, These raids kill innocent Turkish civilians. How can Turkey withstand that?

[brianbwb-2009]

As Always,
IMPEACH BUSH !!!!!!
Posted by TiredoftheBS,

You misunderstand the good Sarge, it was Bush himself who said that "God" told him to do the evil that he has done.

"That reality has changed and the PKK has to adapt. If the Kurdish leadership cannot convince the PKK to "get out of Turkey" they will get what''''s coming to them."
Posted by mbievtea

You also misunderstand, the Kurds'' land was divided up after WW2, without regard for the inhabitants, the Kurds who are in "Turkey" are actually the original inhabitants of the land they are on, and have been struggling to re-establish their Kurdistan, to the resistance of all who benefited from their original loss. The PKK is a group of people living in Turkey, but marginalized by the Turks, much like "Black" people in America. That their brethren in other states join the struggle is not without precedent, as the American and European Jews can assist their Israeli brethren.

To say "get out" means what, that they should simply roll over and die, because Europe decided they were non-people?

[tiredofthebs]

Well you see when Saddam was slaughtering Iraqis (with gas that we sold to him) he was an evil mass murderer, but when Bush slaughters Iraqis he''s on a mission form god.....so can''t be questioned.....unless you''re un-American....and want the terrorists to win.........


Posted by SgtRDS at 10:41 PM : Oct 23, 2007



SgtRDS.....

Gramatical errors aside, I sincerely hope you are joking.
It scares me that you might ACTUALLY BELIEVE WHAT YOU WROTE IN YOUR POST !!!!!!
If you believe GOD commanded President SHRUB to (illegally) invade Iraq, you probably still believe in Santa Claus, The Great Pumpkin, The Easter Bunny, etc. George Dubya (hereafter refered to as OFTENWRONG) is a war criminal. His actions mimick those of Hitler, and any other world leader would be brought up on War Crimes at the Hague. Do I want the terrorist to win ?! HELL YES if that means no more innocent Iraqi children and US servicemen are killed for nothing.


As Always,
IMPEACH BUSH !!!!!!

[sgtrds]

wasnt one of the reasons the us invaded iraq because sadam was gasing and killing the kurds? so we kick him out now we going to do it huh ok that makes no sense to me what so ever...

Posted by kewlchat at 10:11 PM : Oct 23, 2007

Well you see when Saddam was slaughtering Iraqis (with gas that we sold to him) he was an evil mass murderer, but when Bush slaughters Iraqis he''s on a mission form god.....so can''t be questioned.....unless you''re un-American....and want the terrorists to win.........

[kewlchat-2009]

wasnt one of the reasons the us invaded iraq because sadam was gasing and killing the kurds? so we kick him out now we going to do it huh ok that makes no sense to me what so ever...

[mbievtea]

The PKK needs to understand the situation. They need to consider the gains the Kurds have made. Their fight against Turkish military and citizens is based on their inability to ascertain self-respect and autonomy under Saddam Hussein. That reality has changed and the PKK has to adapt. If the Kurdish leadership cannot convince the PKK to "get out of Turkey" they will get what''s coming to them.

[gaye5]

Well, is the PKK just another Hamas, where it will one day be allowed to govern????.
Yep it was a real deterrent for any rebels who now see that rebels (the Hamas) are rewarded and have become a government...
What they promise is not necessary true if it is for the cause of Allah, they can deceive.. hmmm

[alanrobisch]

Is your God pleased about the mass-murder of these Iraqi civilians?


Posted by FeelFree1 at 03:48 PM : Oct 23, 2007

Why don''t you ask Him? Ps He is God. there is no other God. Unless you are into polytheism. My guess is its atheism.

[alanrobisch]

Once again the real kooks come out John Kerry was a Vet Nam We already proved that the swift boat boys were worthless but hey not to worry we will remember then next year.

Posted by antoniof123 at 04:00 PM : Oct 23, 2007

Please prove that the swift boat allegations were false. I never heard other than unsubstantiated contradictions proof they were wrong. Kerry may well have faked his way out of vietnam. He certainly had no respect for his fellow soldiers

[stopthewarrr]

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The corporate media will not give Ron Paul any Exposure. Because, NBC is owned by GE. GE is one of the world''s largest war-makers. They make things that go boom. They make $Billions on war. A Ron Paul administration would be bad for business. CNN is owned by AOL. Majority share holder is Saudi Royal Talal who is also partners with GHWBush in The Carlyle Group. Another major warmaker. And on and on. You get the picture. This is why they are doing a Media Blackout on him. Because they don''''t WANT YOU TO KNOW THE TRUTH!

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[feelfree1]

MCVet,

Good points, as usual.

I wanted to bring to your attention that you seem to have a doppelganger, named MCVett (two t''s) on this site, in case you had not realized.

They they that immitation is the highest form of flattery. You must have an enthusiatic fan base;-)

Sieg Heil Bush!

[sgtrds]

Re: "It is worded exactly as it should be to guarantee religious freedom."

Which includes freedom FROM religion, for those who choose.

Is your God pleased about the mass-murder of these Iraqi civilians?

Posted by FeelFree1 at 03:48 PM : Oct 23, 2007

Amen!

[antoniof123]

You sound like a John Kerry kooooke from the 1970s, short on truth and long in the mouth.

Posted by jowand at 03:37 PM : Oct 23, 2007

Once again the real kooks come out John Kerry was a Vet Nam We already proved that the swift boat boys were worthless but hey not to worry we will remember then next year.

[mcvet]

There is little doubt with the People of this nation right now, George W. Bush is the WORST President in US History. That''s not really a debate at this point, what is still open is just how bad this whole "Policy" of Bush''s will get. What caused this brain dead Red Neck to think he was going to bully these folks into HIS kind of Government? The only "God" George Bush answers to is that of MONEY!! He waste enough every month to pretty much take care of the Social Security Situation and NO end in sight. Now this doesn''t address the FACT that the REAL Enemy, the main GUY, well he''s off in another Country and completely rebuilt and we''re still trying to "Give" these folks, who''ve been fighting each other now for 1500 years, a democratic from of Government. ROFLMAO Talk about a Snake Oil Salesman? Sieg Heil Bush.

[feelfree1]

Edward1975,

Re: "It is worded exactly as it should be to guarantee religious freedom."

Which includes freedom FROM religion, for those who choose.

Is your God pleased about the mass-murder of these Iraqi civilians?

[edward1975-2009]

The framers founded a country based on religious freedom, that is why it is stated, in no way based on Christian faith. They were staying true to the fundamentals that created this great nation. Do not twist the Constitution as many do to try to prove a point. It is worded exactly as it should be to guarantee religious freedom.

[jowand]

American puppet Barzani supporting PKK terrorists; it''''s hard to believe Maliki will do anything against them. Turkey is being attacked by PKK and noone is doing anything to stop it. Oh, maybe one thing: Warning (threatening) Turkey not to enter North Iraq.

Posted by trkshdlght at 03:34 PM : Oct 23, 2007

Spamming for Pelosi I see.

[jowand]

"Our Troops" just slaughtered 11 more Iraqi civilians in our lie-based self-defeating war of aggression, with a helicopter!

Smells like "freedom"!

Thank you CBS, for not describing this event as cowardly mass-murder!

That might sound bad!

Go team!!!

Posted by FeelFree1 at 02:31 PM : Oct 23, 2007

You sound like a John Kerry kooooke from the 1970s, short on truth and long in the mouth.

[trkshdlght]

American puppet Barzani supporting PKK terrorists; it''s hard to believe Maliki will do anything against them. Turkey is being attacked by PKK and noone is doing anything to stop it. Oh, maybe one thing: Warning (threatening) Turkey not to enter North Iraq.

[trkshdlght]

American puppet Barzani supporting PKK terrorists; it''s hard to believe Maliki will do anything against them. Turkey is being attacked by PKK and noone is doing anything to stop it. Oh, maybe one thing: Warning (threatening) Turkey not to enter North Iraq.