Don't Pursue PKK Rebels in Iraq, Zebari Tells Turkey

By Khaled Yacoub Oweis

AMMAN (Reuters) July 24, 2005 - Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari warned Turkey on Sunday against military incursions to pursue Kurdistan Workers Party rebels using northern Iraq as a base, saying this could destabilise Iraq. 

Zebari told Reuters U.S. forces in Iraq were poised to capture the rebels, who have waged a violent campaign against Turkey to win Kurdish self-determination for decades. 

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari gestures during an interview with Reuters in Amman July 24, 2005. (REUTERS/Ali Jarekji)

"They are in regions outside the control of the central and Kurdish government. If they move the American forces could arrest them. We have an obligation to Turkey, and to control all non-Iraqi armed groups and prevent them from activities against neighbouring countries," he said. 

"We refuse any regional military interference in Iraqi affairs, whether Turkish, Iranian or Arab, because it destroys confidence and shifts the focus when our priority is finishing the political process, improving the security situation and providing basic services," Zebari said in an interview.