http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB9UOHWI9E.htmlAP Interview: Turkish Premier Urges U.S. to Rein in Kurdish Rebels Based in IraqBy Louis Meixler
Associated Press Writer
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - The prime minister of Turkey, one of Washington's most important Muslim allies, said Friday he will urge President Bush to clamp down on Kurdish guerrillas who are infiltrating into Turkey from mountain strongholds in northern Iraq.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said Turkey would press on with its campaign to join the European Union, arguing that anti-Turkish sentiment was not a major factor in this week's rejection of an EU constitution by voters in France and the Netherlands.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press ahead of his Wednesday meeting at the White House, Erdogan said he wants the guerrilla bands of Turkish Kurds "to be totally taken out of northern Iraq."
At least 14 Turkish soldiers and 49 rebels have died since March in guerrilla attacks after a lull of several years, and the fight is becoming an increasingly sore point in already strained relations between the two NATO allies.
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