Bush urges Turkey not to send troops into Iraq

WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) U S President George W Bush today urged Turkey not to launch a major incursion into northern Iraq.

He spoke after Turkey's parliament approved by a large majority a government request to allow troops to cross into northern Iraq to crush Kurdish rebels based there.

''We are making it very clear to Turkey that we don't think it is in their interests to send troops into Iraq. Actually, they have troops already stationed in Iraq ... We don't think it's in their interests to send more troops in,'' Bush told a news conference.

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