Turkey voices caution over rebels' truce call

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed the Kurdish rebel leader's call for a cease-fire and for thousands of his fighters to leave Turkey.

Erdogan on Thursday also sounded a note of caution, however, saying Turkey wanted to see "to what extend it is implemented" by the rebels. Erdogan was speaking at a joint news conference with his Dutch counterpart.

Erdogan said Turkish security forces would cease operations against the rebels as soon as Ocalan's call is implemented.

The Turkish leader also lamented the fact that no Turkish flag was flown at festivities in Turkey's largest city in southeast Turkey, where imprisoned rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan's message was read.

Erdogan says the lack of a flag was a "provocative act" and contrary to spirit of Ocalan's message for peace.