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Iraq

Will the Secretary of State reaffirm that we will not be handing over responsibility unless or until we are satisfied that the Iraqi armed forces pass the litmus test for a democratic Government of being under the democratic control of a civilian Minister? We have a long way to go yet. In that regard, will the Secretary of State use his good offices to reaffirm the United Kingdom’s concern to ensure that the people at Camp Ashraf, Iranian refugees, continue to enjoy protected person status and do not become the Cossacks of this period? The great fear is that they will be treated in the same way as the Cossacks were treated in 1945. The people of Camp Ashraf must have the protection of both the United Kingdom and—I hope my right hon. Friend will emphasise to his friends when he meets them—the Iraqi Government. Discuss.