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M. Continuo

Iraq condemns Turkish incursion


    BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq on Tuesday condemned Turkey's incursion into northern Iraq to fight Kurdish guerrillas in the strongest terms so far and demanded an immediate end to the violation of its sovereignty.

    The Turkish troops crossed the border last Thursday to rootout PKK fighters who have used mountainous northern Iraq as abase for their fight for self-rule in the mainly Kurdishsoutheast of Turkey since the 1990s.

    "The cabinet expressed its rejection and condemnation forthe Turkish military interference, which is considered aviolation of Iraq's sovereignty," the Iraqi government said ina statement released by spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh.

    "The cabinet stresses that unilateral military action isnot acceptable and threatens good relations between the twoneighbours."

    Dabbagh said earlier on Tuesday that a Turkish envoy wouldmeet Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and governmentleaders including Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari in Baghdadon Wednesday.

    Turkish troops, backed by warplanes and artillery, havebeen fighting Kurdish guerrillas at close quarters as theyadvance on a Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) base.

    The Turkish General Staff has said the total PKK death tollin the offensive has risen to 153, and that 17 of its ownsoldiers have been killed. PKK claims that 81 Turkish troopshave been killed could not be verified.

    (Editing by Kevin Liffey)