Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to go to the USA on 5 November (Sunday).

"We will speak openly and clearly" 

When asked by journalists what Turkey expected from the US visit, he said:

"I do not know what will happen or not happen up to the time of the visit because we are in a sensitive situation. But if nothing exceptional happens, then we will speak with the honourable President (George W. Bush) about this topic in particular, openly and clearly, as well as about other topics."

Büyükanit: Trip is important 

According to NTV news, Chief of General Staff Yasar Büyükanit attended a closed reception of the Austrian Embassy on its national day, where is reported to have said, "When the armed forces are assigned with the duty, then cross-border operations will take place. In addition, if the need arises, we will also demand them. The Prime Minister's trip to the USA is important. We will wait for his return."

Earlier this year, in a speech given on 12 April, Büyükanit had already made a veiled reference to the USA's attitude towards Northern Iraq. He had said that he thought that operations in Northern Iraq were necessary, but that "a political decision had to emerge" for this; he had added that the army would be ready to operate as soon as it were charged with carrying out operations.

The Turkish Parliament passed a bill to empower the government to order cross-border operations into Northern Iraq on 17 October. (TK/AG)