Barzani considers PKK amnesty as a positive step, Turkey rules out

Turkey granting amnesty for the members of the terror organization PKK would be a very important step, prime minister of the Kurdish regional government, Nechirvan Barzani, told reporters in Baghdad after meeting Turkish President Abdullah Gul.   Â

"It would be very helpful in solving the problem. We support this," he said.

However, Gul, who is in Baghdad to hold talks with Iraqi officials during a two-day visit to the neighboring country, told reporters after the meeting that he did not discuss the issue of an amnesty with Barzani.

"It (the issue of amnesty) is an issue for Turkey alone. We do not debate it with others," he said.

Gul began a landmark visit to Iraq on Monday, becoming the first Turkish head of state to visit Iraq in 33 years, at a time of changing relations between Turkey and northern Iraq amid calls for increased efforts to eradicate the presence of the terror organization PKK.

Turkish Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin on Tuesday also ruled out the possibility of a general amnesty in the near future.

"Neither the Justice Ministry nor our government has such an issue on their agenda at the moment," he was quoted by Anatolian Agency as telling reporters in Ankara.Â

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani had also called on Ankara to consider a general amnesty for members of the PKK, in coordination with a call to lay down arms, aimed at boosting efforts to end the armed struggle, while he was in Istanbul last week for the 5th World Water Forum.

The PKK, which launches cross-border attacks on Turkey from bases in northern Iraq, is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, including the EU and the United States.Â

LAYING DOWN ARMS
Barzani also told reporters that the regional Kurdish administration supported Talabani's stance that the "PKK should either lay down arms or leave Iraq".

"However, our relations with Turkey are not comprised only of this issue. We have other common points that bring us together," he said.

He also said his meeting with Gul was a remarkable step towards the improvement of relations between Turkey and Iraq.

"We want to establish good relations with Turkey. We also understand Turkey's concerns very well," Barzani said, adding that the regional Kurdish administration in northern Iraq would not accept any attacks from its territory against neighboring countries.

Gul told reporters later in the day that his two-day state visit had given him the chance of hold constructive talks with the Iraqi authorities.

"During the meeting (with Nechirvan Barzani), it was frankly stated that camps and members of the PKK terrorist organization are located in the region. We reiterated once again that everyone should support the fight against the PKK. Barzani said the terrorist organization also harmed them. He also conveyed us that Masoud Barzani wanted to pay a visit to Turkey," the Anatolian Agency quoted him as saying.

"Once the PKK is eliminated there are no bounds to what is possible: you are our neighbors and kinsmen," he said.

"A Baghdad with a sound stance and powerful Iraqi security forces can resolve problems. Turkey will continue supporting Iraq in this process," he added.