HL Deb 24 June 1998 vol 591 c26WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they have about the continued presence of large Turkish armed forces in northern Iraq; whether this has been reported to the United Nations Security Council; if so, with what outcome; whether they have made representations to the Government of Turkey; and, if so, in what terms. [HL2114]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

We understand that the Turkish military action in northern Iraq launched on 21 May has ended, and that most of their troops were withdrawn on 5 June. The British Embassy in Ankara made representations to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs when the action began. We urged the Turkish authorities to avoid civilian casualties, and to withdraw their troops from Iraqi territory as soon as possible.

We are not aware of any reports to the United Nations Security Council on this issue.