Top U.S. general talks PKK with Ankara

ANKARA, Turkey, July 3 (UPI) -- A top U.S. military general met in Ankara with Turkish military officials Thursday to discuss military matters concerning the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright met with his Turkish counterpart, Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, and his deputy, Gen. Ergin Saygun, the Iranian Press TV reported.

A statement from the U.S. Embassy said the two sides would "discuss standard issues that concern both militaries, including the ongoing struggle against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and ongoing intelligence sharing."

The Turkish military launched a major offensive against PKK fighters operating in northern Iraq in December with the help of U.S. military intelligence regarding movements of the rebel group.

The United States, along with the European Union, Turkey and other nations, considers the PKK a terrorist entity.