HC Deb 18 November 1992 vol 214 cc213-4W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Forcign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Turkish involvement in the Kurdish areas of northern Iraq; and if he will make representations to the Turkish Government to withdraw.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We ackowledge the difficult situation faced by the Turkish Government in dealing with terrorism by the PKK. The Turkish Government have given assurances that their operations in northern Iraq were temporary and are aimed solely at destroying PKK capability to mount attacks against Turkey from northern Iraq, and that they do not intend to hold on to Iraqi territory. We look to Turkey to complete its withdrawal as soon as possible.