Iraq, Turkey and US step up intel-sharing in fight against PKK

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

Waili said the three countries had formed a special committee to examine how best to rein in the terror organization PKK, which launches cross-border attacks on Turkey from bases in the neighboring country.    

"There will be a special committee in Baghdad to exchange information on how to stop the political, military and media activities of the PKK," he was quoted by AFP as saying after meeting with Turkish Interior Minister Besir Atalay and the U.S. ambassador.

"Our forces have the authority and the power to close the (PKK) bases," he said in an interview with state-run television.

"Our fight against terrorism is not limited only to al Qaeda, but is against all those who endanger the security of Iraq and disturb our relations with neighboring countries."

Five-article declaration

Waili also said the three countries published a declaration, comprised of five articles, regarding the talks of Saturday.

According to the declaration quoted by Anatolian Agency, Turkey, Iraq and the United States consider PKK as a terrorist organization, one which harmed both Turkey and Iraq.

The activities of terrorist organization PKK and its affiliate "Kurdistan Democratic Solution Party" was banned in Iraq, it said.

It also confirmed a statement made recently by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani that the "PKK should either give up using arms or leave Iraq".

The declaration added the efforts made against terrorist organization PKK in the past three months were reviewed and that a decision was taken to hold the next meeting of the trilateral mechanism in Turkey.

Two Turkish soldiers killed

Atalay had flown to Baghdad on Saturday for talks on fighting the PKK as two Turkish soldiers were killed in clashes with the terror organization in a mountainous area in Sirnak province, close to the Iraqi border.

Seven PKK terrorists were also killed in the clashes.

"The trilateral mechanism, which was established earlier, resumed meetings in November. Every three months we review our activities," Atalay said after meeting Waidi.

"We have witnessed a will on the part of all sides to eradicate the presence of terrorist organization PKK in northern Iraq. When the right time comes, we will make public the steps to be taken against the terrorists," Atalay added.

"We have designated solid duties to sub-committees on various matters, including intelligence," he also said.

The talks are part of three-way consultations between Turkey, Iraq and the United States initiated in November when the three formed a joint committee.

The Iraqi Kurds, whom Ankara had long accused of tolerating the PKK terrorists on their territory and even aiding them, also joined the committee. Talabani, himself a Kurd, said last month that the PKK must lay down their arms or leave the country.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, including the EU and the United States.