Talbani calls on PKK to lay down its arms or leave Iraq

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said yesterday that the terrorist PKK should lay down its arms or leave Iraq. "No country can tolerate an armed group deploying within its borders and attacking another country," said Talabani. He said the terrorist PKK has to respect the decisions of the local government and legislature elected by the people in northern Iraq and the unanimous urging of Kurdish political parties to end the incursions, warning that otherwise the terrorist group will be responsible for what happens in the area. Stressing that a genuine, comprehensive dialogue between Turkey and Iraq developed after his landmark visit to Ankara this March, Talabani said the Iraqi government wants to continue its good neighborly relations with Turkey.