Tehran, March 22, IRNA -- Iraqi Kurds have said they were prepared to 
put up a stiff resistance if Turkish troops invaded northern Iraq, the
Lebanese Al-Minar television channel said Saturday.                   
    Turkish satellite television station CNN-Turk said Saturday that  
Turkish military units crossed into northern Iraq from the            
southeastern town of Cukurca during the night to prepare the ground   
for the arrival of more units.                                        
    The report could not be confirmed by Kurdish groups in northern   
Iraq.                                                                 
    Turkish officials have said that the deployment was aimed at      
stopping influx of refugees towards the country's borders.            
    The announcement came after Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul 
said that Ankara's problems with Washington, which had warned Turkey  
against military action in northern Iraq, had been resolved.          
    Turkey late Friday decided to open its airspace to US warplanes to
open a northern front to attack Iraq.                                 
BH/HM                                                                 
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