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Iraq: Requirement of young males to serve in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the consequences for refusal to serve

The following information was provided on 28 June 2001 by a representative of the Patriotic Union of Kurdisan (PUK) in Washington, DC:

There is no compulsary military service in the areas controlled by the PUK. All military personal (Peshmerga(s)) join the service voluntary. They are paid a good salary and enjoy many benefits.

During a telephone interview with the Research Directorate on 28 June 2001, the director of the Centre européen de l'étude des conflits which is based in Paris, who is also the author of a book published in 2000 entitled Puissances et influences. Annuaire géopolitique et géostratégique 2000-2001, corroborated the fact that there is no compulsary military service in the areas controlled by the PUK.

Recent information on the situation in northern Iraq can be found in IRQ37280.E of 25 May 2001 and IRQ36288.E of 22 March 2001.

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.

References

Director of the Centre européen de l'étude des conflits, Paris. 28 June 2001. Telephone interview.

Representative of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Washington, DC. 28 June 2001. Correspondence.

Topics: Kurd,