Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his government is still planning to take military action against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.

Mr. Erdogan said Turkey does not intend to start a war, but has made a decision on an operation. He made the comment Monday at the National Press Club in Washington.

Earlier Monday, Mr. Erdogan met President Bush at the White House to discuss Turkey's fight against rebels with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, based in northern Iraq. Turkey blames the rebels for deadly attacks in southeastern Turkey.

The Turkish prime minister welcomed pledges by Mr. Bush to share intelligence with Turkey on rebel movements. The two leaders agreed to open new communication channels between top U.S. and Turkish commanders.

Turkish state media quote Turkish President Abdullah Gul as saying Tuesday that U.S. cooperation in fighting the PKK is not enough. Turkey has urged U.S. and Iraqi forces to take action against the PKK in northern Iraq.

The United States and Turkey consider the PKK to be a terrorist group.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.