CONFIDENTIAL
ANNEX I
KURDISH REFUGEES
1.
In March 1974 the Government of Iraq set up an autonomous region in the north of the country comprising the three predominantly Kurdish provinces of Sulaimaniya, Arbil and Dohuk. This provided for a nominated assembly and an executive in Arbil, but reserved many matters, including an overriding right of veto, to the central government. The Kurds rejected this solution and bitter fighting broke out between rebel Kurds and Iraqi troops. in March 1975 Iraq and Iran signed an agreement which cut off Irani:n support to the rebel Kurds in northern Iraq and by the end of the month the Kurdish rebellion had collapsed. During April and May 1975 the Iraqi Government resumed control over the territory formerly occupied by the Kurds. Large numbers of Kurds fled to Iran but later returned under amnesty from the refugee camps to their villages. Some 35,000 refugees are thought to remain in Iran. Some of the returning refugees were resettled in the south of Iraq, particularly those from the frontier areas, but some have since been allowed to return to the North. The Iraqi Government have put in hand a substantial development programme in the region but ill-feeling among many sections of the Kurdish community is likely to remain and there are reports of regular skirmishes between dissidents and Iraqi troops.
2.
Through UNHCR, requests were made to several countries (including the United Kingdom) in 1975, to help resettle a number of young well-educated Kurds, who did not wish to return to Iraq or settle in Iran. The Home Office is prepared to consider applications from Kurdish refugees on their merits and upon the basis of proved need for resettlement. Alternatively, they may seek to qualify for admission to the United Kingdom, under the published Immigration Rules. So far we have given permission for 47 Kurds to come as refugees (29 plus 18 dependants) and have granted refugee status to 28 Kurds already in the United Kingdom.
3.
HMG have publicly welcomed the agreement between Irag and Iran and Ministers have assured the Iraqi Government that we have (iven no support to the activities of rebel Kurds. Despite this the issue remains a sensitive topic in our bilateral relatious with Iraq.
CONFIDENTIAL
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