"We have repeatedly said that we believe that unilateral military action across the border with Iraq would be unwise," the US amabassador to Turkey, Ross Wilson, said in an interview with the NTV news channel.

The warning came after Ankara on Monday urged Baghdad and Washington to act against the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), whose militants have enjoyed safe haven in the mountains of neighboring northern Iraq.

Asked whether Turkey would send troops across the border if Iraq and the United States fail to curb the PKK, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said Turkey would use its rights under international and domestic law "to the full."

Ankara says the PKK uses bases in northern Iraq as a springboard to launch attacks in southeast Turkey. It has shown marked impatience with the rebel presence there after 15 security force members were killed over the past week.

"The PKK is not a just a northern Iraq problem -- it's a problem in Europe and it's a problem in Turkey," Wilson said.

"Going to deal with the PKK in northern Iraq will not solve the problem," he said. "It will not lead to what we or Iraq or Turkey want to see, which is the termination of these terrorist activities and the termination of the death and the suffering that the people of Turkey have faced."

He reiterated Washington's support for Turkey's battle with the PKK, which the United States, along with the European Union, lists as a terrorist group.

"The United States and Turkey have for many years consulted closely on issues related to international terrorism... and Iraq," Wilson said.

"I would expect that Turkey would continue to do what Turkey has been doing, which is to consult with us as we consult with Turkey on steps... with respect to Iraq."