§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What reports they have about a meeting between Nachirvan Barzani and Fazal Mirani of the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and representatives of Saddam Hussein on 6th November 1996 in Baghdad; whether there are any contingency plans to deal with renewed military operations by Saddam Hussein and the KDP against other parties not willing to accept their authority in northern Iraq; and what effect any such operations would have on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 986.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe have had reports of a meeting between senior KDP officials and representatives of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad during early November. We are unable to confirm the truth of these reports. It would be inappropriate to comment on our contingency planning. We have warned Baghdad against further military intervention in the north. At talks in Ankara on 30th and 31st October KDP and PUK agreed not to seek the intervention of any other forces which could aggravate their conflict. It is up to the UN Secretary-General to decide when the conditions are right for the implementation of SCR 986. The Iraqi attack on Irbil in August forced a delay. We hope SCR 986 will be implemented soon.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware how many visits by senior officials of the Baghdad Government to the headquarters of the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) in Salahaddin there have been since the latest cease-fire; whether Qussay, the son of Saddam Hussein, is reported to have participated in any of these visits; and whether the KDP has kept Britain or the United States informed of these contacts.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe are aware of reports of visits by senior Iraqi officials, including Saddam Hussein's son, Qussay, to the KDP since the latest cease-fire in northern Iraq. We are unable to confirm the truth of these reports. The KDP have not informed us of any such contact.