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Turkey Launches Diplomatic Offensive

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By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA, The Associated Press

Published: October 24, 2007

ISTANBUL, Turkey - Turkey delivered a tough message to Iraq and Western allies Tuesday: A cross-border attack on Kurd guerrilla bases is coming unless the U.S.-backed government in the Iraqi north cracks down soon.

'We cannot wait forever,' Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned during a visit to London, saying his government has no choice but to consider 'the military dimension.'

As Erdogan's government launched the diplomatic offensive in hopes of avoiding a conflict that could damage its ties with the West as well as Arab states, the looming possibility of a Turkish military drive into one of Iraq's few peaceful regions appeared to be having an effect.

Washington issued its most direct demand yet for anti-rebel measures from Iraqi Kurds who hold effective autonomy over territory where the Turkish Kurd rebels have camps, and Iraq's prime minister ordered the closure of all of the guerrilla movement's offices in Iraq.

Turks have grown skeptical of repeated pledges from the United States and Iraq to tackle the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party, the PKK, so Erdogan went to London and his Cabinet ministers spread across the Middle East seeking to turn up the heat on the Americans and Iraqis to act.

Still, Turkey seemed willing to pursue diplomacy until at least early next month, when it hosts regional foreign ministers at a meeting on Iraq. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has proposed a meeting among the United States, Iraq and Turkey during the Nov. 2-3 conference, and Turkey's premier is expected to meet with President Bush in Washington on Nov. 5.

But that patience could be shredded by another spectacular PKK attack. Public anger in Turkey has been high over a surge in rebel attacks in recent weeks, and the uproar rose after a guerrilla ambush Sunday killed 12 soldiers and left eight more missing.

Iraq's government ordered the closure of PKK offices and promised to curb rebel movements and block funds. The statement contradicted repeated assertions by Iraqi officials that the PKK's presence in Iraq was restricted to inaccessible parts of the north.

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