Some progress for US-Turkey relations

By Jane O'Brien
BBC News, Washington

The US fears cross border strikes could destabilise northern Iraq

President Bush has promised to help Turkey halt attacks launched by Kurdish rebels operating from bases in northern Iraq.

His pledge is being seen as an important step towards repairing relations between Ankara and Washington, which have become increasingly strained over the issue.

Dozens of Turkish soldiers and civilians have been killed in recent months in cross-border raids carried out by the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has been branded a terrorist organisation by the US and European Union.

At a meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Washington, Mr Bush said the PKK was an enemy of Turkey, Iraq and the United States.

"I made it very clear to the prime minister that we want to work in a close way to deal with this problem," Mr Bush said.

The meeting followed a high profile visit to Istanbul at the weekend by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

She had raised expectations that the US would step up its efforts to resolve the crisis after winning promises from Iraq that it would also help fight PKK terrorism.

On Saturday, Iraqi Kurd authorities shut down the two offices of the Kurdistan Democratic Solution party, an organisation that is believed to have close ties to the Kurdish rebels.

Strong support

Turkey has accused the US of not doing enough to combat the PKK and has threatened its own military strikes.

Tens of thousands of Turkish troops are massed on the Iraq border

The US says such a move would destabilise one of the few areas in the region that have remained relatively calm.

President Bush expressed strong support for Turkey - a vital strategic ally - and said both countries would work more closely with Iraq to provide better military cooperation and intelligence sharing.

He also said the US would work with Iraq's leader to cut off money to the PKK.

"We understand there are transit issues at airports. We understand that there are issues with money," he said.

"We're taking some steps along those lines," he added.

Mr Erdogan said he was very pleased to have the opportunity for talks with Mr Bush, but he did not say whether the president's assurances would be enough to appease Turkish anger at what is being seen as America's unwillingness to help its ally.

Anti-American feeling in Turkey is at an all-time high and there has been growing impatience with US and Iraqi reluctance to crack down on the PKK.

Protesters outside the White House voiced opposition to military action

Mr Erdogan is under intense pressure at home to take independent action and tens of thousands of Turkish troops have been massed on the border.

The Turkish parliament has authorised a military incursion if necessary.

Mr Erdogan made it clear he expected more cooperation from the US and also stressed Turkey's role in fighting the global war on terror.

"It is important to work jointly and in solidarity with our strategic partner the United States," he said.

"Because they have declared the PKK as a terrorist organisation it is important that we fight jointly against the leaders, the murderers of this organisation."

Turkey is an important strategic ally for the US which has a military air base at Incirlik in Nato's southern region.