Iraqi Deputy President Mehdi arrives in Ankara on ATA plane

Sources in Ankara note that Mehdi's visit to Turkey was sparked by earlier comments that "It is the most natural thing in the world that Turkey would be interested in the developments occuring in its neighboring country, Iraq." Erdogan reportedly underlined to Mehdi during meetings that the situation in Kirkuk had not calmed down enough to hold the planned referendums, and that as such, any referendum should be postponed until a later date. Erdogan brought the subject of PKK presence in northern Iraq up in his talks with Mehdi, underscoring the need for more effective action by Baghdad on this subject.