President Jalal Talabani has criticized the reinforcement of Turkish troops along the border with Southern Kurdistan, something that Turkish officials say is meant to prevent the infiltration of outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) from their Southern Kurdistan bases in spring, reported Turkish daily News

The Kurdish leader, who has already expressed concerns over Turkish and Iranian military measures against the PKK and warned against the consequences of interference in Southern Kurdistan affairs, said in a televised interview that the Turkish deployment was causing fear.

" This deployment is causing fear among the people,” Talabani was quoted as saying on Iraq's Al Forat television. “I believe that it would be better to solve this problem through democratic means, rather than arms.”

Also, Talabani said Turkey had asked him to play a role in the fight against the PKK 

“We told them that the Kurdish issue should be settled within Turkey and through peaceful and democratic means,” Talabani said.   The Kurdish leader also said Kurds in Turkey would not pursue opposition against Turkey if democratic measures are taken and the scope of freedoms is extended.