Threat of Turkish military action seen mounting after talks fail [with Iraq]

[rodeodance]

Source: afp

Threat of Turkish military action seen mounting after talks fail

by Sibel Utku Bila 36 minutes ago

ANKARA (AFP) - The threat of a Turkish military strike on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq grew Saturday after crisis talks with an Iraqi delegation failed to satisfy Ankara.


Newspapers reported that the army was massing more forces along the Iraqi frontier, with F-16 fighter jets ready for "orders to strike". Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the country was on a "constant state of alert".

But the diplomatic focus has turned to contacts with the United States including Erdogan's talks in Washington next month which analysts said could still avert military action.

An Iraqi delegation, led by Defence Minister Abdel Qader Mohammed Jassim was to leave Ankara on Saturday after its proposals to curb Kurdish separatist rebels were rejected by Turkey, an Iraqi embassy official said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071027/wl_mideast_afp/turkeykurdsunrest_071027100044;_ylt=AknnDFFFkncrzRwXsQD2lcWs0NUE