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Erdogan Slams US Peace Efforts Ahead of Pence, Pompeo Visit

Dorian Jones

   ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledgedWednesdayto
   continue a military operation into Syria, despite calls from Washington
   for a cease-fire.
   Erdogan's pledge cameahead ofhigh-level visit led by U.S. Vice
   President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The visit
   reportedly was arranged during a call between Erdogan and U.S.
   President Donald Trump.
   Trump is calling for an immediate cease-fire andisoffering mediation to
   end Turkey's 10-day military operation.
   Ankara launched operation "Peace Spring" against the YPG Syrian Kurdish
   militia, which Ankara deems asaterroristorganizationlinked to a
   decades-long insurgency inside Turkey. But the militia was a crucial
   ally in Washington's war against the Islamic Stategroup.
   No talking to 'terror organization'

   However, Erdogan is dismissing Washington's efforts to end the
   operation.

   "There are some leaders who are trying to mediate," Erdogan said in an
   address to parliament. "There has never been any such thing in the
   history of the Turkish Republic as the state sitting at the same table
   with a terror organization."

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