Northern Iraq

Acar of the Erbil Businesspeople's Association says: "Violence is affecting economic relations, this is to Turkey's detriment. There are people on both sides feeding from violence."

The General Staff announced that it bombed the Zap region in Northern Iraq on Wednesday morning.

Based on reports by the Reuters News Agency, Turkish news websites have stated that the Turkish Armed Forces carried out a fourth operation in Northern Iraq.

People in Cukurca, the district of Hakkari closest to the Iraqi border, have lived with the sound of bombings for years. They ask for investment in the area rather than operations.

The General Staff announced that it hit further PKK targets in Northern Iraq on Saturday and that"similar operations would continue within the country and across the borders independently of the terrain and the weather."

The General Staff has confirmed that ground units carried out a small operation on the Turkey-Iraq border in the night from 17 to 18 December.

The Hürriyet newspaper estimates that the four-hour operation cost Turkey around 20 million dollars. The UNHCR reports that around 1,800 people have been displaced as a result of the operations.

The European Peace Parliament, the Human Rights Association and the Labour Party have protested against cross-border operations: "Violence has not solved anything up to now."

The General Staff has announced that PKK targets on Kandil mountain have been bombed, and that attacks were not aimed at people living in Northern Iraq. Reuters says that 10 villages were hit, homes and schools ruined.

The Peace Parliament has called on opponents of operations to gather in front of Galatasaray Highschool this evening.

The General Staff announced that the army has carried out its first operation since a bill of authorisation was passed by parliament.

Aydin Dogan has sued two news websites for an article about him and his petrol company POAS.

Prime Minister Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Büyükanit have met in order to talk about developments concerning possible cross-border operations.

In a press release on 20 November, Reporters Without Borders condemned the Kurdish regional government for not allowing reporters to visit PKK bases.

Condoleezza Rice has talked about the Turkish government's "comprehensive plan" to solve the Kurdish question. Erdogan speaks of the PKK laying down arms, but does not commit to a concrete strategy.

According to TIHV president Önen, Erdogan is stuck between the army and the USA. His anti-operation stance is due to US influence.

Don't be angry at the Kurdish father who sells his children to the mountains, but at the leaders who have forced him into this situation. The Turkish Republic must stop being a state which has forgotten its humane sensitivities.

The prosecution has begun an investigation of the three DTP MPs involved in the freeing of eight soldier hostages.

Erdogan and Bush have agreed on exchange of intelligence. Erdogan has ruled out extensive military operations, while Bush seems to have accepted limited incursions.

In a joint press briefing, Rice and Babacan outlined their vision for collaboration on the fight against "PKK terrorism". Rice wants Iraq involved.