A long way to go

Addressing a joint press conference Friday, Talabani called the PKK a "common problem" for both Iraq and Turkey and said more dialogues and communication between the two nations was needed to solve the problem.

But analysts said it is unlikely for the two sides to join forces to crack down on the PKK.

They said it is the regional administration of northern Iraq that holds substantial clout in the PKK issue and it has not shown any softening of its position on refusing to label the PKK as a terrorist group.

Therefore, Ankara has accused the regional administration of northern Iraq of sheltering and indulging the PKK and has refused to hold dialogue with the regional administration.

Under such circumstances, Talabani's one-sided wish to join forces to crack down on the PKK is likely to go unrequited again this time, analysts said.

And Turkey's latest offensive provides a good opportunity for it to adopt broad measures to help improve the living conditions of Turkey's Kurds, help them with economic development and respect their traditional culture, which is a fundamental way of uprooting the causes of terrorism, analysts said.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul (L) meets with his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani in Ankara, capital of Turkey, March 7, 2008. Talabani started a two-day working visit to Turkey on Friday. (Xinhua Photo)