Turk PM Urges Bush to Act on Kurd Rebels in Iraq

[Khephra]

(Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan urged President Bush to act against Kurdish separatists in northern Iraq during a telephone call on Tuesday, Turkish officials said.

Erdogan also told Bush the European Union's historic decision last week to start accession talks with Turkey would strengthen ties between the Muslim nation and its NATO partner Washington, the officials at the prime minister's office added.

"The time has come to end the PKK/Kongra-Gel's existence in Iraq," they quoted Erdogan as telling Bush.

The PKK, also known as Kongra-Gel, is based mainly in northern Iraq and has waged a separatist campaign in southeast Turkey since 1984.

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