Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit Thursday criticized some countries for supporting the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

"There are countries supporting directly or indirectly PKK terrorism, among our allies," affirmed Buyukanit at an international symposium on "New Dimensions of Security and International Organizations," without specifying the countries.

"Land mines used in Turkey and explosives such as C4, A3, A4 which are used in every murder in Turkey are not bought from supermarkets," Buyukanit said.

"Countries (backing terrorism for political purposes) use double standard in combatting terrorism, and turn a blind eye to activities of persons or organizations that do not stage terrorist attacks on their own territories," Buyukanit stated.

Buyukanit added that those who extend financial, logistical and propagandist support to terrorists should be deemed as terrorist.

Buyukanit said there is a need for global cooperation against terrorism, reiterating that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are ready for international cooperation and solidarity, and sharing information and intelligence regarding security issues.

An efficient international cooperation in fight against terrorism is only possible under the banner of the UN, Buyukanit said.

In a bid to get rid of the threats of PKK, Turkey has recently warned that Turkish troops would launch a cross-border operation into northern Iraq in fighting against the outlawed Kurdish group.

"We have earlier stated that there was a need for a cross- border operation into northern Iraq," said Buyukanit, adding " necessary planning can be made after political targets are determined."

On May 22, a suicide bomb blast ripped through a crowded shopping center in the Ulus district of Turkish capital Ankara, killing seven, including the bomber, and injuring some 100 others. Officials believed the PKK was behind the attack.

PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, launched an armed campaign for an ethnic homeland in the mainly Kurdish southeastern Turkey in 1984, sparking decades of strife that has claimed more than 30,000 lives.

The intensity of the fighting eased after PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan was captured and imprisoned in 1999, but flared up again in recent years.

Source: Xinhua