§ Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the Government of Turkey concerning members of the British Marines, following a dispute with a Turkish provincial governor at a refugee camp in Yesilova, Turkey.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThere is regular contact with the Government of Turkey on all aspects of the coalition humanitarian operation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence visited Turkey last week and met President Ozal for discussions on mutual co-operation.
Occasional misunderstandings between the different forces and authorities involved in the operation, such as 530W the minor incident at Yelisova, are almost inevitable in the difficult circumstances of the refugee camps, but relations between British and Turkish forces and officials on the ground have been and remain good.