Results 1-20 of 152 for iraq speaker:Margaret Beckett

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq: Turkey (21 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: We are aware of counter-terrorist operations by the Turkish security forces close to Turkey's border with northern Iraq. This is usual at this time of year when the Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan (PKK) steps up its terrorist activities. A series of PKK attacks have struck military and civilian targets in Turkey recently, causing a significant number of fatalities. We utterly condemn the...

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq: Turkey (21 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: The Turkish and Iraqi governments have confirmed that no incursions into northern Iraq by Turkish security forces have taken place. We continue to follow the situation closely through our Missions in Ankara, Baghdad and Erbil and remain in close touch with the Turkish and Iraqi governments. We are aware of counter-terrorist operations by the Turkish security forces close to Turkey's border...

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq: USA (21 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: We maintain a constant dialogue with the US Administration on the security situation in Iraq, and our shared plans and strategies to respond to it. At present, this dialogue is focused on working to reduce the level of violence in Iraq and creating the conditions necessary for the transfer of responsibility for security to the Iraqi authorities in Basra province.

Written Ministerial Statements — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Diplomatic Missions/International Organisations (Unpaid Parking/Minor Traffic Violation Fines) (20 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: ...00 Jamaica 32 3,060.00 Mongolia 30 2,950.00 Kyrgystan 28 2,780.00 Thailand 28 2,680.00 Yemen 28 2,500.00 Kenya 29 2,480.00 Poland 32 2,480.00 Italy 28 2,250.00 Romania 26 2,440.00 Iraq 25 2,400.00 Tanzania 25 2,140.00 Ukraine 22 2,000.00 Ethiopia 24 1,950.00 Belgium 20 1,950.00 Bulgaria 20 1,900.00 Nigeria 24...

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq: Peace Keeping Operations (15 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: The security walls are being constructed by the Multinational Force (Iraq), under US command. We understand that they are a temporary measure to create secure neighbourhoods as part of a much wider range of measures being taken as part of the Iraqi-led Baghdad security plan. This plan, and the increase in US troop numbers in and around Baghdad, are designed to improve the security situation...

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq: Politics and Government (12 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 7 June 2007 Violence in Iraq continues at appallingly high levels, affecting all Iraqis. We continue to do what we can to try to help those Iraqis who face a particular threat as a result of having worked for us. Any applications for assistance we receive from current or former staff are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the particular circumstances of the...

Opposition Day — [14th Allotted Day]: Iraq Inquiry (11 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: ...the Question, and to add instead thereof: "notes the Resolution of 31st October 2006; recognises that there have already been four separate independent committees of inquiry into military action in Iraq; further recognises the importance of learning all possible lessons from military action in Iraq and its aftermath; and therefore declines at this time, whilst the whole effort of the...

Opposition Day — [14th Allotted Day]: Iraq Inquiry (11 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: ...of State for Defence and the Leader of the House, and indeed by the Prime Minister. Nothing has happened since last October to change our position. More than 5,000 British troops do remain in Iraq, where they continue to be engaged in extremely difficult and dangerous work in trying to build a better future for the Iraqi people. Only last week, Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari paid tribute to...

Opposition Day — [14th Allotted Day]: Iraq Inquiry (11 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: ...under this Government, despite the nonsense talked about our approach to Parliament. They carry out independent inquiries, as they already have into different aspects of our involvement in Iraq. I argued in October that the situation in Iraq was too delicate for us to turn our attention away from the immediate task of how best we could help the Iraqi people here and now. I make no apology...

Opposition Day — [14th Allotted Day]: Iraq Inquiry (11 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: ...would have liked to take part in this debate, but he is today in Baghdad with the Chancellor, focusing precisely on what can be done today and in the critical months ahead to help the people of Iraq. As all Members know, Iraq still faces a daunting array of political, security and economic challenges of a kind with which any Government in the world—let alone a Government who have...

Opposition Day — [14th Allotted Day]: Iraq Inquiry (11 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: The hon. Gentleman has just given an extremely good example of why it would not exactly promote the cause of looking to the future and rebuilding Iraq to engage in the kind of dialogue that he wants at this time. He is, of course, right to say that these are issues of importance, but I recall that in the last debate on this subject one of my hon. Friends reported to the House a discussion at...

Opposition Day — [14th Allotted Day]: Iraq Inquiry (11 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: ...staff are now engaged in an intensive drive to bring the last of these provinces, Basra, to the point at which security responsibility can be handed over there, too. At this critical juncture, when Iraq's future clearly hangs in the balance, it would be wrong—plainly and simply wrong—for us to divert our focus from the tasks that need completing now, and again turn our gaze...

Opposition Day — [14th Allotted Day]: Iraq Inquiry (11 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: No. All our time and energy is badly needed now for addressing the challenges of the present, as the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq reminded us only the other day. It is our responsibility to the people of Iraq that should receive our complete focus and attention in the critical months ahead. When we discussed this issue in October, some Members pointed out that only a few days beforehand,...

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq: Foreign Relations (11 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: Following agreement at the Iraq Neighbours Conference on 4 May, we understand that the Government of Iraq plans to hold the first meetings of the working groups on energy, security and refugees between 5- 15 June.

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq: National Reconciliation Plan (11 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: High levels of violence have undermined progress on the Iraqi Government's national reconciliation plan published last year, but reconciliation and power-sharing between Iraq's different communities remains central to the country's future. We welcome the establishment of an Executive Council comprising Prime Minister Maliki, President Talabani and the two Vice-Presidents, which first met on...

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Iran (5 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: I discussed Iraq with Foreign Minister Mottaki on 3 May at the margins of the Sharm el Sheikh meetings on Iraq. All Iraq's neighbours have a stake in a secure and stable Iraq. We have consistently made it clear to the Government of Iran that the training, equipping and funding of illegal armed groups by agencies of the Iranian state is unacceptable.

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Iran (5 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: ...policy not to discuss intelligence operations. I simply say to the hon. Gentleman that I am sure that there are many ways in which Iran has perfectly legitimate links with, and relationships in, Iraq, as will have been the case over many years for a variety of reasons, as he says. We continue to urge Iran to use whatever links and contacts it has positively in support of a stable and...

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Iran (5 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: ...Gentleman is perfectly well aware of why we are still there. We are still there because there is a contribution that we can make to trying to establish better armed forces and police forces in Iraq in a way that will enable them securely and peacefully to maintain their own state. It is not the case that all of those whom he describes are opposed to the presence of the multinational forces...

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq: Asylum (4 Jun 2007)

Margaret Beckett: We welcome Commissioner Michel's proposal to hold technical level tripartite talks on Iraqi refugees. We understand the proposed talks will be between the Commission and the Governments of Iraq and Syria, but the UK stands ready to assist if required. The date of the talks is still to be confirmed.

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq (15 May 2007)

Margaret Beckett: During oral questions on 1 May 2007, Official Report, columns 1360-1, reference was made to both the dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and a draft compiled by John Williams. In oral evidence to the Hutton inquiry, John Scarlett made reference to the Williams' draft 26 August 2003, Official Report, column 59; John Williams gave evidence on his role in the drafting of the...