Eurasia

ANKARA, Turkey — The Turkish Parliament on Saturday (June 2nd) approved an amendment that would shorten the deadline for organising a referendum on constitutional reforms from 120 to 45 days.

SINGAPORE — US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Sunday (June 3rd) warned Turkey to refrain from any unilateral incursion into northern Iraq. Speaking at the sidelines of an Asian security conference in Singapore, he said the US administration understands Ankara’s concerns, but believes negotiation is the best way to address …

CIZRE, Turkey (AP) — The top commander of the Kurdish rebel group PKK said his forces would resist any Turkish military incursion aimed at destroying rebel bases in northern Iraq, a news agency reported Saturday.

Ukraine’s presidential representative in the Constitutional Court has been elected chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), the body’s press service head said Saturday.

Western nations introduced on Thursday (May 31st) a revised draft of a UN Security Council resolution backing a plan to grant internationally supervised independence to Kosovo, but Russia rejected it immediately.

Turkey sent more tanks and troops to its border with Iraq on Wednesday (May 30th), fuelling speculation about an imminent military offensive against Kurdish rebels based in the neighbouring country’s north.

ANKARA (AP) — Turkey’s military, building up troops on the Iraqi border, said Thursday it was ready to launch a cross-border offensive to fight Kurdish fighters — pressuring the government to support the idea which could strain ties with Washington and lead to tensions with Iraqi Kurds.

Tension is rising on Turkey’s border with Iraq amid speculation Ankara may be about to launch an incursion to tackle Kurdish rebels.

GORUMLU (Reuters) — Turkey sent more tanks to its border with Iraq on Wednesday in a military buildup that is fuelling US concern about a possible incursion into northern Iraq against Kurdish rebels.

BEIRUT (AP) — Supporters of slain former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri cheered and wept — and some even danced in the streets — late Wednesday to celebrate the UN Security Council approval of the international tribunal to prosecute suspects in his killing.