On the sidelines of talks with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates in Ankara, NTV television said Buyukyanit repeated Turkey's promise that it will withdraw Turkish troops as soon as possible but refused to name an actual date.

"The shortest time is a relative concept. It may be one day or it might mean a year," Buyukyanit was quoted as saying.

Earlier, Gates said that Turkey should quickly wrap up its military incursion against PKK militants in northern Iraq.

In order to stop terror, not just military but also economic and political initiatives must be made, he said.

Gates was quoted by CNN-Turk television as saying after talks with Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul that the Washington wanted the operation to be "short and precisely targeted."


Agencies

Güncelleme Tarihi: 28 Şubat 2008, 17:27