§ Sir Russell JohnstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government to support the proposal of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in recommendation 1266–1995, that the Committee of Ministers should call on Turkey to withdraw its forces from northern Iraq and set a specific timetable for Turkey to bring its constitution and legislation in line with the principles and standards of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement. [25860]
§ Mr. David DaviesAt its meeting on 11 May, the Committee of Ministers took note of the Parliamentary Assembly's recommendation 1266–1995 on
Turkey's military intervention in norther Iraq and on Turkey's military intervention in northern Iraq and on Turkey's respect of commitments concerning constitutional and legislative reforms",and instructed its deputies to prepare a reply.We have noted with satisfaction the announcement by the Turkish Government on 4 May that their forces have withdrawn completely form northern Iraq. We are urging the Turkish Government to take equal account of our concerns over democratisation and human rights.