The Chairman of the Parti du renouveau démocratique (PRD) in Djibouti, stated during a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, that the PRD started issuing membership cards in October 1992 (8 Oct. 1998). The Chairman explained that although the cards changed appearance in 1993, they are basically the same and bear the symbol and emblem of the party. He stated that the old card was large and could be folded. However, the new card is about half the size of the old card and is more practical.

In a separate interview with the Research Directorate, an official of the PRD further explained that the card indicates the date of issue and the name of the bearer (14 Oct. 1998). He added that the old cards were mostly blue but that the new ones are basically white in colour. He also said that signatures are not always the same since different officers at various federation levels in various regions are in charge of issuing and signing membership cards. Additional and/corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Parti de renouveau démocratique (PRD), Djibouti. 14 October 1998. Telephone interview with Chairman.

_____. 8 October 1998. Telephone interview with official.

Africa Confidential [London]. January - August 1998. Vol. 39. Nos. 1-17.

_____. January - December 1997. January - December 1997. Nos. 1-25.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Issues [Oxford]. January - December 1997. Nos. 1-12.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 1997: 1998. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. Bimonthly. January 1997 - August 1998. Vols. 9-10. Nos. 1-4.

Jeune Afrique [Paris]. January-October 1998. Nos. 1930-19968.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January - May 1998. Vol. 44. Nos. 1-5.

_____. January - December 1997. Vol. 43. Nos. 1-12.

New African [London]. January - October 1998. Nos. 359-367.

Nouvel/Afrique Asie [Paris]. January-October1998. Nos. 100-109.