Iraq asks Kurdish rebels to drop guns or leave

Iraq on Monday demanded that the Turkish Kurdish rebels based in its northern mountains lay down their weapons or leave the country during a landmark visit by Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul.

"The PKK has two choices: lay down its guns or leave Iraq," was the ultimatum President Jalal Talabani of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced at a joint news conference marking the first visit by a Turkish head of state in 33 years.

The comment of Talabani were some of the toughest made recently by an Iraqi leader against PKK rebels, who have used northern Iraq as a base to launch attacks against Turkey, straining ties between Baghdad and Ankara.

Turkish President Gul said the time had come "to end all these problems which hinder relations between Turkey and Iraq."

"A thorough operation must be carried out (against the PKK) and this is the responsibility of all of us."

Turkey has accused Iraq in the past of not doing enough to crack down on the PKK, considered a terrorist organization by Washington and the European Union.

Gul's visit came less than a year after Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan came to Baghdad, marking a milestone in Iraq's efforts to end its regional isolation after U.S.-led troops toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Turkey regularly shells PKK targets in Iraq. This month it killed at least four PKK guerrillas, who are fighting for an independent ethnic homeland in southeastern Turkey.

A PKK leader said Gul's visit changed nothing.

"For us in the PKK we don't have any fears from this visit, and we believe it will have no effect on us," said Haval Roze, a PKK leader.

A spokesman for the Kurdish Regional Government said Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani would meet Gul, and that security issues would be high on the agenda.

For us in the PKK we don't have any fears from this visit, and we believe it will have no effect on us

A PKK Leader

Engaging PKK

The Turkish government also launched a series of initiatives that seek to improve the rights of Kurds, who have long complained of discrimination by the state.

President Gul's tone was conciliatory towards Iraq's Kurdish leaders, whom he said were organising a security conference in April.

"They (northern Iraq administration) see that winning over Turkey is an advantage and it is the first time I see them doing something . . . We are in a new era now," he said.

In January, Turkey, Iraq and the United States agreed to set up a joint command centre in northern Iraq to gather intelligence to fight the PKK.

Iraqi President Talabani called the PKK to be involved in peaceful political life "instead of resorting to weapons, since using guns does wrong to Kurds and Iraqis."

"Iraq's constitution forbids the existence of armed groups, the PKK along with others, and we are currently working towards this aim on the tripartite committee" comprising Iraq, Turkey and the United States, he said.

In Istanbul last week, Talabani urged Turkey to consider an amnesty for the rebels to consolidate measures broadening Kurdish cultural freedoms and boost the prospect of a lasting peace.

He also said the Kurdish rebels were likely to heed an appeal expected to be issued next month by Kurdish political groups from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Europe to lay down their weapons.

"I believe the PKK will accept the wish of all Kurdish parties, laying down its arms and putting an end to violent action," Talabani told Turkey's Sabah newspaper.

Iraq's constitution forbids the existence of armed groups, the PKK along with others, and we are currently working towards this aim

Jalal Talabani, Iraqi President