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1631-HQ-1462938 regardless of their nature not be heard, and to freeze the cases that have already been heard. [attached as document #Xx] When questioned regarding this document, AL-MAJID stated, "I do not remember this." He added that all Northern Bureau Command orders were issued by him and not by his Deputy. AL-MAJID acknowledged SALMAN was the Deputy Secretary General of the Northern Bureau Command but asserted that he would not have tasked SALMAN with issuing such an order and SALMAN did not issue it in AL-MAJID's absence. He stated that all legal cases are matters for courts of law and not for security committees. AL- MAJID acknowledged, however, that he issued Similar instructions to the courts in approximately June, 1987 when he directed the courts not to hear cases and/or to postpone cases involving individuals from prohibited zones. Villages in these zones were cleared of people, their residences demolished, and the residents relocated to government housing complexes. AL-MAJID reiterated that such an order would have been issued only by him and would have been logically directed to the courts and not to the security committees. He added security services were not in charge of the courts. When questioned about the authenticity of the document and whether he thought it was a forgery, AL-MAJID stated, "I do not know. Maybe." [AL-MAJID interview, April 4, 2004]. The government's plan to eliminate the Kurds is further corroborated in letter Number 28/573 to the Command of the Iraqi Fifth Corps, dated April 13, 1987, classified “Top Secret and Confidential,” and written by the Special National Defense Forces General Staff, a pro-regime Kurdish militia. This document is referenced on page 4 and in footnote 14 of the HRW report dated July, 1993, "Prelude to Anfal" section. The letter appeared to be in response to a verbal order from the Fifth Corps Commander and detailed the “final obligations in winding up {illegible} procedures for the termination of sabotage in the Northern Region, [and] the manner and the priorities of implementing the evacuation and demolition of the security-prohibited villages.” [attached as document #XxX]. On May 14, 1987, AL-MAJID issued letter Number 106309 regarding the execution of first-degree relatives of "saboteurs." This document is referenced on pages 13-14 of the HRW report dated July, 1993, "Prelude to Anfal" section. A handwritten note dated November 20, 1989, from the Security Chief, Interrogating Officer, Amn Office in Suleimaniyeh, refers to AL-MAJID‘s letter Number 106309. The document is referenced on page 13 of the HRW 33