Senior US Iraq commander in Ankara

The senior US commander in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno, arrived in Ankara yesterday at the invitation of Interior Minister Besir Atalay. Today Odierno is set to attend anti-terrorist coordination meetings with Turkish officials, "Turkey is a strong ally of the US," he said. "Our commitment to fight terrorism together will continue." During the meetings, developments concerning Camp Makhmour in northern Iraq, long thought to harbor many members of the terrorist PKK, will be discussed. In related news, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates will visit Ankara this weekend to discuss Iraq and Afghanistan.