Iraqi Kurds talk peace

Countries sponsoring the ceasefire in the self-governing Kurdish enclave in Northern Iraq are making an effort to achieve lasting peace there.

American, British and Turkish officials are meeting delegates of one of the warring Kurdish groups -- The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, or PUK.

Earlier this month PUK declared its readiness to start reconciliation talks with its rival, the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

The two groups have fought frequently since 1994 and remain at odds despite agreeing a ceasefire last November.

Before meeting American and British officials, the PUK delegation held talks with the Turkish foreign ministry officials to sort out disputes related to the separatist Kurdish insurgency in Turkey.

Turkey says that Kurdish separatists find refuge in the PUK-controlled areas in northern Iraq, while PUK has complained of Turkey's hostile actions during its army's operations inside Iraq.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service