ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Thursday their talks especially with the United States in the coming period would be decisive about steps against the terrorist organization PKK.
"During the talks, Iraqi authorities told us they did not have the capability and instruments to fight against the PKK," Babacan told reporters at a news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about news reports that U.S. troops were deployed in the Turkey-Iraq border region.
"We are aware of the good-will of the Iraqi central government about the fight against terrorism. However, good-will is not enough on its own. Therefore, our talks especially with the United States in the coming term will be decisive about steps against the terrorist organization PKK," he said.
"Recent visit by a high-level Iraqi delegation did not meet our expectations. Now, we want to discuss tangible steps. We do not have any more time to waste. Necessary steps will be taken whenever they are required," Babacan said.
"The most important thing is to provide stability and peace in Iraq as soon as possible. Otherwise, Iraq will remain as training area of terrorists. Therefore, the platform of neighboring countries should give priority to efforts to provide peace, stability, security and tranquillity in Iraq," he said.
Babacan added, "the only target of our instruments in the fight against terrorism is terrorists and the terrorist organization. Some circles intentionally use the word of invasion for a likely cross-border operation by Turkey. In fact, it is an operation targeting only terrorists. We believe that it is possible to fight against terrorism on one hand and to protect Iraq`s territorial integrity on the other."