US Defense Sec'y holds takls in Ankara

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates yesterday held separate talks with his Turkish counterpart Vecdi Gonul, President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanyt. At a joint press conference with Gonul, Gates said that Turkey 's cross-border operation in northern Iraq should be as short and precisely targeted as possible. Stating that striking a balance between Iraq 's territorial integrity and Turkey 's right to self-defense is important, he added, " Turkey should work closely with all Iraqis officials, including Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani." For his part, Gonul said that the operation was contributing not only to the safety of the Turkish public but also that of Iraqis as well as the stability of the region. " Turkey will end its operation after achieving its goals," he added. Afterwards, Gul received Gates and US Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson. Later in the day, Gates also met with Erdogan. Erdogan reiterated that Turkish troops would return after achieving their goals. Responding to remarks by Gates on the duration of the operation, Buyukanit said that short-term is a relative concept, sometimes meaning a day, and sometimes a year. "We've been fighting terrorism for 24 years," he added. "That's why our fight against terrorism will continue." Following the completion of his talks, Gates left Turkey .