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USIA - Text: Co-Chairmen's Statement on Ankara Process Meeting, 97-05-14United States Information Agency: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at <http://www.usia.gov>TEXT: C0-CHAIRMEN'S STATEMENT ON 5/14 ANKARA PROCESS MEETING(Commitment to cease-fire consolidation reaffirmed) (970)Ankara -- Participants at the 4th Round Ankara Process Meeting May 14 "reaffirmed their commitment to the consolidation of the cease-fire between the PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) and the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party)," the co-chairmen of the meeting said.The meeting was held to review progress in implementing the principles agreed at the Ankara meetings on October 31, 1996; November 15, 1996; and January 15, 1997. In a statement issued following the meeting, the co-chairmen also said that "All participants expressed satisfaction over the completion of the deployment of the Peace Monitoring Force (PMF)," and they condemned terrorist attacks that have taken place in Northern Iraq and stressed the importance of cooperating with investigations of those incidents. Following is the text of the co-chairmen's statement: (Begin text)Representatives of Turkey, the United States, end the United Kingdom met with delegations of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Turkoman Front on May 14, 1997, in Ankara to review progress in implementing the principles agreed at the Ankara meetings on October 31, 1996; November 15, 1996; and January 15, 1997.The objectives of these discussions were: to maintain and strengthen the cease-fire between the KDP and the PUK, with a view to making it permanent, and to re-establish peace and stability in northern Iraq through a process of political reconciliation. Cease-fireAll participants reaffirmed their commitment to the consolidation of the cease-fire between the PUK and the KDP. All participants expressed satisfaction over the completion of the deployment of the Peace Monitoring Force (PMF). The parties expressed their appreciation for the role the PMF plays in strengthening the cease-fire.All participants condemned terrorist attacks that have taken place in northern Iraq and stressed the importance of cooperating with investigations of those incidents alleged to be violations of the cease-fire to determine their origin. The KDP and the PUK agreed to form a committee with the participation of the PMF, the Turkoman Front and the Assyrian Democratic Movement to take up the issue of terrorist activities. This committee will meet no later than May 30 in Erbil. The second meeting of the committee will take place in Suleymaniye. The KDP and the PUK reiterated their commitment to the PMF, to take all measures which would provide security for the members of the Force. The KDP and the PUK will also strive to prevent other parties in the region from pursuing activities that threaten the cease-fire. In order to contribute to the strengthening of the cease-fire, the KDP and the PUK agreed to reduce their forces on or close to the cease-fire line by withdrawing them at least 5 (five) kilometers from the cease-fire line before July 15. At the time of withdrawal, all heavy weapons within that zone will be deployed in weapon cantonments to be established and monitored in consultation with the PMF. In view of its developing obligations, all participants reconfirmed their agreement to augment the PMF. They noted with satisfaction the report of the Supervisory Peace Monitoring Group (SPMG) and renewed their support for the continuation of its work. ReconciliationThe participants expressed satisfaction with the implementation of confidence-building measures, including releases of prisoners and improved cooperation on civilian services. The PUK, the KDP and the Turkoman Front agreed to convene the Higher Coordination Committee in northern Iraq in June at the headquarters of the PMF, in order to promote steps toward political reconciliation as identified in the Final Statement of October 31, 1996. They also agreed to convene the technical sub-committee on energy at the Dukan dam before the end of May and to convene the technical sub- committee on free movement and transportation in Erbil before the end of May. In order to facilitate the delivery of civilian services, other technical sub-committees agreed upon at the March 11 meeting of the Higher Coordination Committee will also be convened.The KDP and the PUK reiterated their firm commitment not to disrupt civilian services and delivery of humanitarian relief or use them as a political weapon. They also reiterated their commitment to end immediately forced expulsions and to allow the safe return of those previously displaced. All participants agreed that discussions of the issue of revenue sharing should continue according to the following principles: equity, transparency, fairness in payment, step-by-step results, and time framework. Salaries should be paid according to the principles set forth above. The issue of revenue sharing will be taken up by the SPMG in its upcoming meetings within this framework. The SPMG may establish a sub-committee to carry out this task and prepare a report for review no later than June 30, 1997. StabilityThe KDP and the PUK reiterated their commitment not to seek the intervention of any other forces which could aggravate the conflict or raise tensions. All participants repeated their commitment to take into account the legitimate security interests of Turkey, and the parties agree to work to prevent terrorist elements, the PKK in particular, from having a presence or activities in northern Iraq. The Parties took note with satisfaction of the closure of the Atrush camp. The Parties agreed that a similar problem, like Atrush, shall not be allowed to reoccur.The participants further agreed that none of these commitments, nor the related efforts, should prejudice the unity or territorial integrity of Iraq, in accordance with the letter and spirit of the October 31 Final Statement's second paragraph. The participants agree to continue meeting periodically to augment their mutual cooperation in order to reinforce peace and stability in the region for the benefit of all its inhabitants. (End text)From the United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at http://www.usia.govUnited States Information Agency: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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