The World - News from Aug. 31, 1989

Iraq has completed the forced relocation of thousands of Kurds, an Iraqi government spokesman said. Citing security reasons, Iraq announced June 26 that it was clearing Kurdish and Arab citizens from a 20-mile-wide strip along its borders with Iran and Turkey. Iraq has not confirmed the number of Kurds relocated, but estimates range from 200,000 to 500,000. Meanwhile, Iraqi officials said they hope media coverage they are arranging for a Kurdish election in two weeks will dispel “myths” of reported suffering caused by the relocation.