Withdrawal Of Turkish Military Existence In North Of Iraq Is Out Question: General Staff

ANKARA - General Staff Second Chief Gen. Ilker Basbug said that Turkish military existence in north of Iraq depends on existence of terrorist organization PKK.
Holding a press conference on Thursday, Basbug answered questions of reporters.
Asked whether or not other intelligence officers were also recalled in addition to the Peace Monitoring Force in north of Iraq, Basbug said, ''there are Turkish Armed Forces elements in north of Iraq. Our military existence there depends on existence of terrorist organization PKK. Withdrawal of Turkish military existence in north of Iraq is out of question until eradication of the terrorist organization. It is a security need of Turkey.''
Replying to a question about operations against PKK in Iran, Basbug said Iranian security forces have been conducting serious operations against terrorist organization PKK in border areas with Turkey.
Basbug said, ''these operations are absolutely not carried out jointly by the Turkish and Iranian Armed Forces. However, they are under way.''

(MS) 08.07.2004