No One Can Answer Why Recent Ground Operation In North Of Iraq Was Launched, Baykal

ANKARA - Deniz Baykal, chairman of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said Tuesday no one could answer why the recent ground operation in north of Iraq had been launched by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).
Speaking at a group meeting of the CHP at the Turkish parliament, Baykal asked "was the ground operation launched in order to receive Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in Turkey? Did we launch a ground operation to bring Barzani to the negotiating table? Did we launch the ground operation to make Turkey's Constitution un-Turkish?"
Baykal said there were questions on the recent ground operation of the TSK. No one could answer these questions, Baykal noted.
Baykal indicated that U.S. President George Bush referred to PKK as a common enemy of Turkey and the United States on November 5th, 2007.
"On March 3rd, a high level U.S. general said PKK and Turkey must negotiate. When such is the case, everything must be questioned," Baykal told.
"We are in no war or friction with anybody. Turkey did not stage a war in north of Iraq. Turkey fought against a terrorist organization in north of Iraq. Those circles who have criticized Turkey for 'staging a war in north of Iraq' do not understand that Turkey was in the region for Turkey's peace and stability. Turkey is not in a war in north of Iraq. Turkey is in a fight against a terrorist organization in north of Iraq. The military was in north of Iraq so that mines and bombs do not explode in Turkey and so that innocent humans do not lose lives in attacks on shopping centers and other locations. Those defining Turkey's military action as a war should get their act together," Baykal also said.
(SOL-MS)