(AFP) US ponders ways to curb Turkish Kurd rebels in Iraq: envoy

[Eugene]

US ponders ways to curb Turkish Kurd rebels in Iraq: envoy

33 minutes ago

ANKARA (AFP) - The United States is considering "many actions" to curb Turkish Kurd
rebels based in northern Iraq and believes it can count on the help of the region's
Iraqi Kurdish leaders, a US envoy said.

Joseph W. Ralston, special coordinator of efforts against the Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK), made the comment after talks with Turkish officials amid growing anger
here over Washington's failure to fulfil pledges to move against the group, listed
as a terrorist group by both countries.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has harshly criticised the US and Iraq for inaction
against the PKK and faces mounting calls at home for a cross-border military operation
into neighbouring northern Iraq to crack down on the PKK.

-snip-

Ralston expressed hope that Massud Barzani, a key US ally and president of the Kurdish
autonomous region in northern Iraq, whose ties with Ankara have notably deteriorated
in recent months, would also help against the PKK.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070130/wl_mideast_afp/turkeyusiraqkurds_070130180023

[Bonhomme Richard]

1. The US is in a tough position. On one hand, the PKK are

listed as terrorist and causing big problems for our ally Turkey. On the other hand we are working with the PKK, as our surrogates, in creating problems inside Iran.
Oh the dilemma.

[ShortnFiery]

2. No dilemma, our troops do NOT belong in the Middle East. n/t

[Stella_Artois]

3. The US *is* in a tough position

Its opened pandoras box in Iraq and doesn't know how to close it.

Its a new Balkans.

[daleo]

4. Similar to preferring the Shiites in Iraq

While opposing the Shiites in Iran. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is up to, or doesn't care.