ANKARA - Gen. Metin Yavuz Yalcin, the Operations Director of the General Staff, said on Friday that they reached a specific stage with their U.S. military and civilian counterparts about any military operation that would be launched against terrorist PKK organization. He said, ''talks continue. Some problems are in question with respect to time schedule.''
Yalcin replied to questions of reporters following monthly news conference of General Staff Secretary-General Sabri Demirezen.
When asked about the studies carried out with U.S. officials in the level of major generals about activities of the terrorist PKK organization in Iraq, Gen. Yalcin said the talks in the level of major generals were about activities and coordination of U.S. forces in the north of Iraq and Turkish elements in the region. He said the first study was held, and that the second would be held in the coming days.
Pointing out that PKK terrorist organization benefited from the atmosphere of instability in Iraq, carried out political work under political identity, and opened offices in various regions of Iraq, Gen. Yalcin said, ''talks are underway with our U.S. military and civilian counterparts about any military operation. Of course, talks are also underway with the civilian counterparts and in the level of foreign ministry. A specific stage has been reached on those issues and talks continue. Some problems are in question about the time schedule. We expect elimination of the armed existence and political activities of the terrorist organization.''
Replying to a question whether or not necessary measures were taken in prevention of illegal migration and human smuggling in border regions, Gen. Yalcin said Eastern Anatolia had a very tough structure noting that it was hard to control it. Gen. Yalcin said they continued to install border control systems aiming to overcome weaknesses in the borders. He said illegal migration would decrease to the minimum level after completion of this process.
(AY-AÖ) 27.02.2004