It appears that army and politicians are both expecting greater clarity on the issue of cross-border operations after Erdogan has spoken to American President George Bush during his upcoming trip to the USA.

During operations in the province of Tunceli on Sunday, 15 PKK militants and one sergeant were killed.

According to the IHD in Bursa, Kurdish citizens have become the targets of attacks since 12 soldiers in Hakkari were killed on Sunday. At least six people have been injured.

Yesterday, two French journalists were arrested at a Turkish border gate with Northern Iraq after they refused to show their film material to officials.

Journalists' associations have condemned the government's decision to ban broadcasts about the PKK attack in Hakkari.

The PKK has published photographs of the eight soldiers it took hostage at the weekend.

The TKDF is trying to organise a big rally to condemn terrorism: "In war, it is always us women who suffer most. If we unite, the pain can have an end."

Gürbüz, whose son has been tried and imprisoned for PKK membership, said that she feels the pain of the dead soldiers' mothers: "There should be no death, not in the army and not outside of it".

Four reporters were detained for a short time for covering military activity in the Yüksekova district of Hakkari in south-eastern Turkey.

Political parties of the left and the Union of Turkish Chambers of Mechanical Engineers have called on the PKK to lay down arms and on Turkey to take urgent steps towards democratisation.

After the PKK attack on soldiers in the province of Hakkari on Sunday, it is said that12 soldiers and 32 PKK militants have been killed. There have been strong reactions in the country.

After the recent heavy losses in Sirnak, twelve soldiers were killed in Hakkari last night. Sixteen more are wounded, some of them seriously. More than ten soldiers are said to be missing.

After a court hearing yesterday, the court has demanded an expert's report from the prosecution.

Despite pressure from the EU and human rights activists internationally and domestically, the prosecution of journalists, writers and activists under the infamous Article 301 continues.

Activists have criticised the upcoming referendum as unnecessary, as a new constitutional draft is being prepared anyway.

Sociologist Yegen has evaluated the current political climate as a silencing of alternative discourses on the Kurdish question. The arena has been left to the army and the PKK.

Iraqi President Talabani warns the PKK that if activities do not stop, they will have to leave.

An overwhelming majority approved a one-year authorisation of cross-border operations into Northern Iraq.

After the murder of three men in Malatya in April this year, a trial will finally be opened.

Today, Turkish Parliament will debate and vote on an authorisation for the Turkish army to carry out cross-border operations into Northern Iraq. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the debate and vote will be open.