Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 June 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 June 2004. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 June 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the UK Government has seen a copy of the letter sent to President Bush at the beginning of June by Kurdish leaders, Masud Barzani and Jalal Talabani concerning the future autonomy of Iraqi Kurds; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK Government have received a copy of the letter sent to President Bush at the beginning of June by Kurdish leaders Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani concerning the future autonomy of Iraqi Kurds; and if he will make a statement. [179409] Mr. Mike O'Brien: There was a private letter from Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani to President Bush, which was, we understand, subsequently leaked. The long-term governing arrangements for Iraq, including those concerning any federal structure for Iraq, are a matter for the Iraqi constitution, which will be drawn up by the Transitional National Assembly in 2005. UNSCR 1546 welcomes the commitment of the Interim Government of Iraq to work towards a federal, democratic,, pluralistic and unified Iraq, in which there is full respect for political and human rights.

Secondary information