The Council of the Socialist International, meeting in Geneva, expresses its satisfaction on the agreement reached in Washington between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, PUK, and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP, to resolve their conflict and to promote peace and democracy in the Kurdish region of Northern Iraq. The Council believes the agreement will help toward the security and stability of the area and will enhance the prospects for democracy in Iraq as a whole. A delegation of the SI Middle East Committee Working Group on the Kurdish Question will soon visit Northern Iraq as part of the International's continuing role in promoting peace and democracy there. The Council urges rapid implementation of the agreement and will in every way possible support the planned elections for a regional assembly due next summer.