The following information was provided during an 11 July 1997 telephone interview with a journalist covering Iraq for Jane's Intelligence Review. The source travels regularly to northern Iraq.

The source stated that Mosul is controlled by the Iraqi army. Units of the Republican Guards, the regular army and the intelligence services are present in the city of Mosul.

For additional information on this subject, please consult the attached documents.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.

Journalist covering Iraq for Jane's Intelligence Review, Ireland. 11 July 1997. Telephone interview.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 21 May 1997. "Iraq, Iran Build Up Forces Near Kurdish Enclave: Iraqi Opposition." (NEXIS)

_____. 21 May 1997. "Iraqi Troops Nearing Turkish Anti-Kurd Operation Zone: PKK." (NEXIS)

_____. 23 March 1997. "5,000 Kurdish Refugees Evacuated From Northern Iraqi Camp." (NEXIS)

Associated Press (AP). 20 May 1997. Yalman Onaran. "Kurdish Leader Vows to Fight Turks." (NEXIS)

Jane's Intelligence Review [Coulsdon, Surrey, UK]. Sean Boyne. "Saddam Moves to Set Up Kurdish 'Jash' Militia." (NEXIS)

United Press International (UPI). 16 January 1997. BC Cycle. Abed Jaber. "Iraq Said to Displace Kurds." (NEXIS)

The Washington Post. 16 May 1997. Final Edition. Daren Butler. "Turkish Fighter-Bombers Hit Kurds Camps in Iraq." (NEXIS)