◆ SpookStack

1631-HQ-1462938 KHUDAIYER was asked what he thought about AL-MAJID's Claim that he received the five kilometer limitation verbally. KHUDAIYER said that this instruction would only be in a written format. If AL-MAJID said it was passed verbally, he was lying. AL-MAJID admitted that he supervised the implementation of the Iraqi Government's plan to control the activities of the Peshmergas whom the government labeled saboteurs. AL-MAJID explained that "saboteurs" was the term Iragis used in official documents to describe Kurds who resisted Iraq Government rule, and that TALABANI was the “Sheikh of the Saboteurs.” AL-MAJID Stated that because Iran continuously attempted to establish its presence and take control of areas like Halabja, the Iraqi Government devised a plan which created security zones along the northern Iraq-Iran border. Mere presence in these areas was prohibited. The residents of Kurdish farming villages within the targeted areas were forcefully relocated from their homes to government complexes known as mujamma’at in a process that became known as “village collectivization,” AL-MAJID stated that it was difficult for the Iraq Government to distinguish Kurds from Iranians or good individuals from bad ones. AL-MAJID denied knowledge of any executions of Kurds in Northern Iraq. AL-MAJID stated his duties included collectivization of Kurdish villagers within the specified five kilometer boundary into government housing complexes. According to AL-MAJID, villages outside the five kilometer radius were controlled by KHAZRAJI. AL-MAJID stated that most Kurds did not want to move from or leave their homes. Those who did were seeking improvements such as electricity, refrigerators, and school teachers. If Kurds refused to be relocated, they were forced into vehicles and taken, along with their belongings, to government housing complexes. Once the villagers were deported, the villages were leveled to avoid becoming safe havens for saboteurs. AL-MAJID stated that was merely following HUSSEIN’S orders and that he did not develop this plan himself because its implementation cost millions of dinars and required the efforts of all the government's ministries. [AL-MAJID interview, March 21, 2004]. AL-MAJID’s statements are inconsistent with known facts provided by former Iraqi regime members and seized Iragi memorandums. These memorandum, detailed below, document AL- MAJID’s use of the broad authority delegated to him by Hussein to commit crimes against humanity and genocide against the Kurdish