§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Governments of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey about the regional implications of building the Ilisu Dam; and what regional support there is for the project beyond that of the Turkish Government. [145071]
§ Mr. CabornMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not yet had any discussions with the Governments of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey about the regional implications of building the Ilisu Dam.
We are of course aware that the Governments of Syria and Iraq (via the Jordanian Embassy) and the Arab League have expressed concern about the dam. When my 503W right hon. Friend published the two reports which we commissioned on this project in December 1999, he also made it clear that before a decision is made on the availability of ECGD support, we will need to be satisfied on a number of conditions, including that of the downstream flow of the Tigris. My officials are in touch with the Turkish authorities regarding these conditions.