Top US commander says PKK threat needs to be resolved in the long run

While praising Turkey's constructive efforts in Iraq, Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Wednesday acknowledged that the threat coming from terrorist PKK bases in northern Iraq must be eliminated. "I've had enough engagement with the Turkish military leadership to understand where the investments are going and the need to do that and the need to evolve," he told reporters. "The (Turkish) military (is) very focused on the PKK threat, the terrorist threat in northern Iraq, and that's something I think in the long run needs to be resolved." Asked about an increase in Turkey's defense budget, Mullen said this is an internal issue. "I haven't seen the specifics of the budget, but certainly I know that previous investments are, from my perspective, have in execution provided Turkish capability that we rely a great deal on" in such places as Afghanistan, he said. Asked about Turkey and Yemen's decision this week to abolish visa requirements between the two nations, Mullen said it represents "a growing and stronger relationship between (the) two countries, which I think is a very positive step."