31.   An escalation in fighting between government troops and Kurdish guerrillas was reported from the south-eastern provinces during June and July.

32.   These included speeding up the confinement of government troops and agreeing to an election timetable.

33.   Heavy fighting involving Kurdish pesh mergas and government troops was reported in early September in parts of northern Iraq.

34.   Fighting between government troops and Kurdish pesh mergas intensified in northern Iraq.

35.   Retaliatory attacks by government troops prompted the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Jalal Talabani, to appeal to the West for assistance to counter Iraqi repression.

36.   In September government troops recaptured Buka Island, allegedly in response to requests for assistance from the islanders themselves.

37.   However, UNITA officials denied any involvement in the incident, which they initially attributed to criminal elements but later claimed was the responsibility of government troops.

38.   In negotiations conducted through church officials the NPA stated that Drown would be released only if government troops in the region ceased operations and returned to barracks.

39.   In Cizre the violence became an open battle on the city streets between PKK youths using assault rifles and government troops.

40.   With the ceasefire in operation, government troops attempted to restore order in Kabul by disarming mujaheddin fighters roaming the city.