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UK Foreign Office says Article 140 is a
matter for Iraqi government and people 7.2.2007 |
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February 7, 2007
London, UK ,–- Dr Kim Howells, Britain’s
Minister of State for the Middle East, has said that
the timetable for deciding the status of Kirkuk is a
matter for the Iraqi government and people to
decide.
Dr. Howells, in a written answer to a parliamentary
question on 31 January, said, “The implementation of
Article 140 of Iraq's Constitution is a matter for
the sovereign Government of Iraq and its people.”
Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution states that
the government of Iraq shall carry out the steps
necessary to remedy the injustices caused to
citizens of Kirkuk who were forcibly deported or
expelled by the previous regime. The Iraqi
constitution sets a deadline for this to be
completed by the end of 2007.
Michael Connarty, a Labour MP and a member of the UK
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Kurdistan , put
the written question to the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office (FCO) after meeting Dr. Kamal Kirkuki, Deputy
Speaker of the Kurdistan National Assembly.
Mr Connarty also asked what discussions the FCO had
had with representatives of Turkey about the
Kurdistan National Assembly’s implementation of
Article 140. Dr. Howells responded, “The
implementation of Article 140 of Iraq's Constitution
is a matter for the sovereign Government of Iraq and
its people. We are aware of Turkish concerns about
the future of Kirkuk and have held regular and
wide-ranging discussions with Turkey about the
situation in Iraq . Our exchanges on Article 140
have focused on encouraging the Iraqi authorities
and the UN to ensure that the process on the future
of Kirkuk is as transparent and inclusive as
possible.”
During his visit to the UK, Dr. Kirkuki said, “Those
who were expelled from Kirkuk by the previous Iraqi
regime have been waiting for years to return to
their rightful homes and lands. They are not
prepared to wait much longer, and this situation has
to be resolved soon legally and peacefully before it
gets out of control.”
Article 140 of Iraq ’s constitution states that in
Kirkuk there must be a normalisation (return of
expelled and deported citizens), a census and then a
referendum to be carried out no later than the end
of 2007. Eligible citizens will vote in the
referendum to decide whether they wish Kirkuk to be
part of the Kurdistan Region, or to be a separate
province outside the Region.
Commons motion on Article 140
Mr Connarty yesterday sponsored an early day motion
(a formal motion tabled for debate) in the House of
Commons which stated, “this House… believes that
this constitutional process should not be interfered
with by non-Kurdistan forces; and opposes the
attempt by Turkey to interfere in this process and
prevent implementation of the programme as set down
by Article 140 of the Constitution of Iraq.” The
motion was supported by Labour MP Tom Clarke,
Conservative MP Bob Spink, and Liberal Democrat MP
Bob Russell.
UK travel advice change enhances commercial ties
Mr Connarty also asked what travel advice the FCO
gave British trade delegations to Iraq and the
Kurdistan Region. Dr. Kim Howells replied, “Our
travel advice for the KRG region changed in December
2006.
The change will allow UK Trade and Investment to
provide commercial advice and assistance in respect
of the region in future, in liaison with the FCO.”
Read the House of Commons Early Day motion
UK parliament | KRG org
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