Wed Oct 17, 8:43 AM ET
ANKARA (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said here Wednesday that Damascus would back a possible Turkish incursion into northern Iraq to crack down "against terrorist activities" there.
"We support the decisions the Turkish government has put on its agenda against terrorism and terrorist activities," Assad told reporters after talks with Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul.
"We see this as Turkey's legitimate right," he said.
He was speaking shortly before the Turkish parliament was to vote on a government motion seeking authorisation for a cross-border operation into neighbouring northern Iraq to pursue Turkish Kurd rebels taking refuge there.
Turkey says some 3,500 members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) -- engaged in a 23-year separatist campaign against Ankara -- enjoy safe haven in the autonomous Kurdish-held north of Iraq, which they use as a springboard for attacks on Turkish territory.
Assad said the US-led forces in Iraq were to blame for the war-torn country becoming a haven for armed rebels.
"The forces occupying Iraq are responsible in the first-degree for the terrorist activities there because they are in control of the country," he said.
The Syrian leader also urged that groups in Iraq that "support and protect terrorist activities" be exposed.
Ankara often charges that PKK rebels in northern Iraq are tolerated and even supported by local Kurdish leaders.
The government is expected to easily secure parliament's approval for such an incursion, but Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would not rush into military action.
Syria, which borders both Iraq and Turkey, has an estimated 1.5 million Kurds, about nine percent of the population.
Damascus views the expression of Kurdish language and culture as a threat to Syrian national unity and Kurds are frequently arrested for alleged separatism.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071017/wl_mideast_afp/turkeyiraqkurdsunrestsyria_071017124326;_ylt=AqS2ssIVNNMhXnWEFph25cpX6GMA
Originally posted by MightRightI happen to agree with Bashir Asshead on this one. Going after the PKK is Turkeys legitimate right.
Wed Oct 17, 8:43 AM ET
ANKARA (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said here Wednesday that Damascus would back a possible Turkish incursion into northern Iraq to crack down "against terrorist activities" there.
"We support the decisions the Turkish government has put on its agenda against terrorism and terrorist activities," Assad told re ...[text shortened]... deast_afp/turkeyiraqkurdsunrestsyria_071017124326;_ylt=AqS2ssIVNNMhXnWEFph25cpX6GMA
Not so much on the political lie about the coalition causeing the problem because the PKK was long established in northern Iraq by the time of the coalition invasion, but on the Turkish right part, Chinless is spot on.
Originally posted by MightRightHow dare the Turks go into another country to fight the so-called terrorists. They are simply looking to take over the oil supplies and kill innocent civilians. They better not torture any terrorists. This is an illegal war if there ever was one. This will only unite the Iraqi militants to kick the turks, and Syria's as and allow the US to pull out of Iraq. Nice work Bush. You're playing these tools like puppets on a string.
Wed Oct 17, 8:43 AM ET
ANKARA (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said here Wednesday that Damascus would back a possible Turkish incursion into northern Iraq to crack down "against terrorist activities" there.
"We support the decisions the Turkish government has put on its agenda against terrorism and terrorist activities," Assad told re ...[text shortened]... deast_afp/turkeyiraqkurdsunrestsyria_071017124326;_ylt=AqS2ssIVNNMhXnWEFph25cpX6GMA
G.
Originally posted by smw6869No blood for oil!
How dare the Turks go into another country to fight the so-called terrorists. They are simply looking to take over the oil supplies and kill innocent civilians. They better not torture any terrorists. This is an illegal war if there ever was one. This will only unite the Iraqi militants to kick the turks, and Syria's as and allow the US to pull out of Iraq. Nice work Bush. You're playing these tools like puppets on a string.
G.
Originally posted by MerkIgnorance is a crime like man-slaughter.
I happen to agree with Bashir Asshead on this one. Going after the PKK is Turkeys legitimate right.
Not so much on the political lie about the coalition causeing the problem because the PKK was long established in northern Iraq by the time of the coalition invasion, but on the Turkish right part, Chinless is spot on.
Originally posted by MacSwainMaybe America shouldnt think so highly of itself that it tries to take contriol of situations it is unable.
..and, what punishment do you recommend? Would you Crucify or Stone? 🙄
Punishment should be like Britney Spears where they took away her baby.
Originally posted by MightRightI ask you a question as to how you would punish (what you called a crime) ignorance.
Maybe America shouldnt think so highly of itself that it tries to take contriol of situations it is unable.
Punishment should be like Britney Spears where they took away her baby.
And you answered "america thinks highly of itself and taking someones baby"????????
Well matey...If ignorance is a crime as you keep saying, obviously you are a serial offender! 😕
Originally posted by MightRightA terrorist state advocating attacking terrorists .... maybe we should back some to attack them.
Wed Oct 17, 8:43 AM ET
ANKARA (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said here Wednesday that Damascus would back a possible Turkish incursion into northern Iraq to crack down "against terrorist activities" there.
"We support the decisions the Turkish government has put on its agenda against terrorism and terrorist activities," Assad told re ...[text shortened]... deast_afp/turkeyiraqkurdsunrestsyria_071017124326;_ylt=AqS2ssIVNNMhXnWEFph25cpX6GMA
Originally posted by MacSwainNot ignorance to crap.. but ignorance to law.
I ask you a question as to how you would punish (what you called a crime) ignorance.
And you answered "america thinks highly of itself and taking someones baby"????????
Well matey...If ignorance is a crime as you keep saying, obviously you are a serial offender! 😕
Under the law that America runs in Iraq it lets these terrorists run free because it isnt a threat to their own country. Basically they have too much on their plate and everyone has to suffer for their needs to continue an illegal occupation.