THE UK has not “betrayed” the Iraqi Kurds over its opposition to last year’s independence referendum, a Foreign Office minister told MPs.
In December a senior diplomat from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq claimed his people had been “let down” by Britain and the international community over their response to the September vote.
Iraqi authorities in Baghdad have refused to recognise the pro-independence majority and retaken disputed territories outwith Kurdish boundaries set in 2003 borders, including the city of Kirkuk.
The UK was amongst countries to urge the KRG leadership to abandon plans for the landmark ballot, citing fears that it could destabilise the region and harm efforts to dismantle Daesh, which has recently lost significant ground in Iraq.
Karwan Jamal Tahir, KRG high representative to the United Kingdom, made the claim as Westminster’s Foreign Affairs Committee took evidence for its inquiry on “Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK”.
Alistair Burt, Minister of State for the Middle East, has now denied the claim before the same cross-party panel.
On opposition to the ballot, he told them: “We formed a view very early that we didn’t believe it was in the interests of the region or those who advocated it. We weren’t alone in relation to this.”
He went on: “We don’t feel it’s a matter of betrayal by the United Kingdom to offer honest advice. We don’t think it’s a matter of betrayal by the United Kingdom if we simply disagree with those who take a contrary view.”
The session follows claims published this week that intelligence reports said UK ministers had inadvertently helped to “neutralise” the Iraqi Kurds in efforts to limit the influence of Iran in the region. The allegations were made by KRG informal adviser Tom Hardie-Forsyth, a former Cabinet Office official.
Burt denied this, saying: “I’m not aware that we have taken such action that we would have neutralised the Kurds. I don’t think of the Iraqi Kurds to be a neutered body.”
He also responded to calls from Kurdish capital Erbil for the UK to mediate in talks with Baghdad.
Tahir said the KRG’s relationship with the federal government was “in crisis” and that he had asked Theresa May to host talks between the sides.
Burt said both sides had to want the intervention, stating: “There are many disputes around the world where people would like Britain to act in a mediation capacity. This is not for the UK to do.
“We have got no indication from the Iraqi government that they think this is a part the UK Government should play.”
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