VOA常速英语2008年-Turkish Forces Enter Northern Iraq

By Dorian Jones
Istanbul
22 February 2008

Turkish ground troops have entered northern Iraq in a drive against Kurdish separatists of the Kurdish Workers Party which Ankara accuses of using bases in Iraq to launch attacks against its forces in southeastern Turkey. Although Kurdish rebels say two Turkish troops have been killed in the fighting and another eight have been wounded, Turkey has not commented on those reports. Dorian Jones has more for the VOA from Istanbul.

 

In a statement released on its web page, the Turkish military says its forces entered northern Iraq on Thursday evening after carrying out air and artillery¹ strikes against suspected PKK positions. The military has not released figures on the size of the incursion but according to Turkish media, 10,000 troops are taking part.

Turkey has been massing forces and commandos on its border with Iraq over the last few weeks. But with the region in the grip of winter, the operation was widely expected to take place a few weeks from now. The incursion is being seen as a preemptive strike against the Kurdish rebels, who usually begin a spring offensive with the melting of winter snows.

"Land force operation is compulsory², not optional because PKK activities increasing in the spring time," said retired³ Turkish General Armagan Kuloglu. "Otherwise they will move again very soon."

The PKK is believed to have as many as 3,000 fighters in bases across the mountainous semi-autonomous Kurdish enclave in northern Iraq.

Turkey has repeatedly called on the U.S. and Iraqi governments to move against the rebels, who have been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast since 1984. But Washington has limited its involvement to providing intelligence on the PKK to Ankara.

Turkey's patience ran out last year following a number of PKK attacks which killed some 50 Turkish soldiers and civilians⁴. Over the last few months, Turkish jets have launched air strikes against PKK bases.

With Turkish troops entering Iraq, Ankara is expected to face intense diplomatic pressure.

Washington has expressed concern about the risk of growing tensions between Turkey and the the government in Baghdad, both U.S. allies.

U.S. Senator John Kerry, visiting Ankara, stressed Turkey's importance.

"Let me say today, on behalf of the American people, for the relationship we enjoy today, and for the help that the Turkish people and the Turkish government is providing in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan," said Kerry.

 

U.S. officials have confirmed the raid, and a U.S. military spokesman in Iraq said Washington understands the operation is of limited duration. The U.S. is encouraging Turkey to resolve the PKK problem using diplomacy⁵ and close coordination⁶ with the government of Iraq.

Aware of U.S. concerns, the Turkish military said it will return home in the shortest time possible after its goals have been achieved.

1 artillery   

n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队)

参考例句：

• This is a heavy artillery piece.这是一门重炮。
• The artillery has more firepower than the infantry.炮兵火力比步兵大。

2 compulsory   

n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的

参考例句：

• Is English a compulsory subject?英语是必修课吗？
• Compulsory schooling ends at sixteen.义务教育至16岁为止。

3 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

4 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

5 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

6 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。