§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the outcome of the talks to discuss implementation of the Washington Accord held in Washington between the Kurdish parties of northern Iraq, attended by representatives of the United Kingdom Government; and what they will do to promote the establishment of an interim assembly, joint administration and revenue pooling in the area controlled by the two groups. [HL3410]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)Senior delegations of the Kurdish Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan met in Washington 16–25 June to discuss implementation of the September 1998 Washington Agreement. Representatives of the UK and Turkey attended four plenary sessions. The talks focused on: ending negative press statements; efforts against the PKK; opening reciprocal party offices; the return of internally displaced persons; revenue sharing; setting up an interim assembly and preparing voter lists for regional elections. We will continue to work with both108WA parties, and the US and Turkey, to promote progress on these and other matters within the framework of the Ankara Peace Process, while remaining fully committed to the territorial integrity of Iraq.