Turkey, U.S., Iraq agree on PKK actions

BAGHDAD, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Turkish, Iraqi and U.S. officials met in Baghdad to address security concerns pertaining to the outlaw Kurdistan Workers' Party.

The trilateral meeting addressed security risks posed by PKK, a militant separatist group operating in parts of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria. The U.S. government and other nations consider the PKK a terrorist movement.

The parties agreed on a series of principles, including a common consensus on the status of PKK as a terrorist group threatening the security of Iraq and Turkey.

A joint subcommittee will also be considered whereby all parties agree to share intelligence information on PKK activities and work together to address the security threat. The U.S. Embassy in Iraq said the details of the subcommittee will be decided by the end of the month.

The U.S. military in Iraq has shared intelligence information with the Turkish government regarding PKK activity in Iraq. That matter drew criticism when allegations emerged that Turkey had shared sensitive intelligence with the Iranians, who are also in opposition to PKK activity.

The parties also agreed to hold bimonthly meetings to examine progress made in tackling the PKK issue.