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ANKARA: Gen. Basbug: We Have To Get Concrete Results Regarding Elimi

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  • ANKARA: Gen. Basbug: We Have To Get Concrete Results Regarding Elimi

    GEN. BASBUG: WE HAVE TO GET CONCRETE RESULTS REGARDING ELIMINATION OF PKK

    Anadolu Agency
    April 29
    Turkey

    ANKARA (A.A) - 29.04.2009 - Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker
    Basbug said on Wednesday that local administration in the north of
    Iraq must actively be involved in to eliminate the presence of PKK
    terrorist organization in the north of Iraq.

    "We have to get concrete results about this issue within this year,"
    added Gen. Basbug who held a meeting with journalists of several
    press organs in Ankara.

    Noting that Turkey's Iraq policy was obvious, and territorial integrity
    had a vital importance, Gen. Basbug said that elimination of PKK in
    the north of Iraq was very important for Turkey.

    Gen. Basbug also said that he recently held meetings with Admiral Mike
    Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. National
    Security Advisor James Jones. He added that neither Mullen nor
    Jones had any concrete demands from Turkey regarding Afghanistan and
    Iraq issues.

    Gen. Basbug said that he exchanged views about the recent developments
    in Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq with Adm. Mullen.

    He said that there were very serious developments in Pakistan, adding
    that the U.S. and Turkey were uneasy about those developments.

    Gen. Basbug also said that the U.S. considered to support the region
    with military force prior to the elections that would take place in
    Afghanistan in August.

    Regarding Turkey's sending additional military force to Afghanistan,
    Gen. Basbug reminded that NATO undertook the responsibility of securing
    Afghanistan as of 2006. He added that Turkey currently had 795-800
    military forces in Afghanistan within the scope of International
    Security Assistance Forces (ISAF), and they were working with Italian
    and French units to extend support to Afghan government by contributing
    to the safety of Kabul and surrounding regions.

    Gen. Basbug said that normally Turkey would undertake Kabul Regional
    Command as of August but it might be delayed to November because
    elections would take place in Afghanistan in August. He added that
    forces of Italy and France would be withdrawn from the region in
    August, and the number of Turkish units might be increased if there
    was a need.

    Regarding problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Gen. Basbug
    said that Armenia's withdrawal (from the lands which it occupied in
    Azerbaijan) was important.

    Gen. Basbug said that Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan explained
    Turkey's views about the issue twice by saying that Armenia's
    withdrawal and opening of Turkey-Armenia border gate should be made
    simultaneously. Gen. Basbug said, "we completely agree with this
    statement."
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