Rebel Kurds

* Re “Turks Press Attack on Rebel Kurds in Iraq,” March 22:

Turkey launched a preventive military operation against Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) terrorist camps after considerable evidence gathered by the Turkish government indicated that the PKK had planned to undertake widespread terrorist activities. The Turkish military operation is aimed only at the PKK. It has nothing to do with the Iraqi-Kurdish groups currently fighting each other. All Turkish forces will be withdrawn from Iraqi territory following the elimination of the terrorists camps.

Contrary to your article, PKK is not seeking ethnic rights but waging a terrorist campaign and aiming at the territorial integrity of the Turkish Republic. Your article also fails to indicate that PKK is a terrorist organization based Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, using its bases in neighboring countries to stage terrorist attacks in the Turkish border areas with Syria, Iraq and Iran, and that most of its victims are civilians living in these regions.

The Turkish government has achieved considerable success in combatting PKK terror and restoring order in southeastern Turkey. Consequently, the PKK, taking advantage of the breakdown of authority and the chaotic situation in Northern Iraq, established camps near the Turkish border and intensified its activities in that region.

OGUZ CELIKKOL

Consul General of Turkey

Los Angeles