IRDP # 1395018

In the name of the most merciful God

Suleimaniyeh Security Directorate

Number: 85/23/59

Date: 6/11/1984

To: all security divisions

Subject: Rumor

SECRET

It is rumored that some hostile Assyrians, agents of the Khomeini regime, are demanding autonomy for themselves in north of Iraq, despite a revolutionary command council decision in 1973 to grant rights to Syriac speakers, who did not have these privileges before. For your information, kindly.

[Signature]

For/the security director of Suleimaniyeh Governorate

EXPLANATORY NOTE: This document should be read in light of the Iran-Iraq war, 1980-1988. Throughout Saddam's crusade against Iran, the Baath regime extensive propaganda machine virtually accused all its opponents as agents and in collusion with Iran. The propaganda was to rouse the Arabs against Iran and to incriminate and suppress those Iraqis who opposed the Baath regime. The Iraqi Intelligence agencies kept files of tailored rumors that would be disseminated periodically in order to justify and to enhance Saddam’s general policies and his war efforts against the “imposters” [Iranians]