According to an official at the Embassy of the Republic of Peru in Ottawa, the National Counterterrorism Directorate (DINCOTE) is a division of the Civil Guard, which in turn is one of three departments within Peru's national police force (1 June 1994). The organization has been actively involved in countering the Shining Path (BBC Summary 16 May 1994; ibid. 12 May 1994; ibid. 9 May 1994; Reuters 28 Apr. 1994). In January 1993 the organization was headed by General Carlos Dominguez Solis (Notisur 26 Jan. 1993).

The official at the embassy in Ottawa stated that resignation procedures and penalties for deserting from DINCOTE are the same as those that apply to all Peruvian police forces (1 June 1994). However, the official added that being an anti-terrorist unit, members of DINCOTE are subject to certain operational procedures which are unique to the force (ibid.).

For specific information concerning the penalties for desertion from Peruvian police forces and the possibility of resignation, please refer to Responses to Information Requests PER13707 of 26 March 1993 and PER13464 of 22 March 1993 both available at your Regional Documentation Centre.

For additional information on DINCOTE's activities, please refer to 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.

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 16 May 1994. "Lima Bomb Attacks Lead to Fears of Shining Path Action to Mark Anniversary." (NEXIS)

_____. 12 May 1994. "MRTA Leader Villalobos Interviewed in Prison." (NEXIS)

_____. 9 May 1994. "Counterterrorism Directorate Captures 'Important' MRTA Leader, Seizes Weapons." (NEXIS)

Embassy of the Republic of Peru, Ottawa. 1 June 1994. Telephone interview with official.

Reuters. 28 April 1994. "Freed Evangelist Says He was Tortured, Denied Defense." (NEXIS)

Notisur. 26 January 1993. "Peru: Congress Begins Operations." (NEXIS)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 16 May 1994. "Lima Bomb Attacks Lead to Fears of Shining Path Action to Mark Anniversary." (NEXIS)

_____. 12 May 1994. "MRTA Leader Villalobos Interviewed in Prison." (NEXIS)

_____. 9 May 1994. "Counterterrorism Directorate Captures 'Important' MRTA Leader, Seizes Weapons." (NEXIS)

_____. 30 March 1994. "Government Asks for Peru's Help to Fight Terrorism." (NEXIS)

_____. 16 March 1994. "Security Forces Dismantle MRTA Communications Centre in North of Country." (NEXIS)

_____. 14 March 1994. "Shining Path Reportedly Trying to Reorganize and Gain Strength in Lima." (NEXIS)

Nortisur. 26 January 1993. "Peru: Congress Begins Operations." (NEXIS)

World Encyclopedia of Police Forces and Penal Systems. 1989. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts on File, pp. 309-11.

Reuters. 28 April 1994. BC Cycle. "Freed Evangelist Says He Was Tortured, Denied Defense." (NEXIS)

_____. 17 March 1994. "Italian Among Alleged Guerrillas Displayed." (NEXIS)

Security Management. January 1993. Dan W. Hammack. "Understanding the Path of Terrorism; Shining Path Terrorist Group." (NEXIS)