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Barzani: US Position on Kurdistanâ€™s Independence Vote 'Surprising'

23 September 2017 15:03 (UTC +04:00)

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani said that Erbil is surprised by the position of US on Kurdistan Region’s planned independence referendum. He said that Kurds are not committing a crime by seeking a chance to have their say on their future.

In an interview with the Voice of America’s Persian Service, Barzani reiterated Kurdistan’s stance on holding the referendum on time as scheduled on 25th September. He pointed out that the plan goes ahead as an acceptable alternative has not been offered. “[Holding] a referendum is not the end of the world. Serious negotiations [with Baghdad] will start after the ballot,” the top official stated.

Commenting on the world power’s instance on holding talks with Baghdad instead of the referendum, Barzani said, “Now, that they [Baghdad] don’t accept the referendum neither now nor in the future, we will not accept being part of Iraq neither now nor in the future”.

He further explained that Russia, on the other hand, has an admirable position on Kurdistan Region’s referendum since it is not opposing to their aspiration for voicing their will.

“I have two options now: my people’s quest or other country’s satisfaction. I choose my peoples quest even if it costs my life,” Barzani said. “This is what the people want. Any individual or [political] party would be crushed if tries to stand against the people.”

The Kurdish president explained that between the referendum and declaration of independence could be one or even two years in hopes of proceeding with constructive talks with Baghdad, trying to find a solution to their disputes over borders, oil, natural gas, water, and other resources.

Asked about the validity of claims saying that Kurdistan’s independence referendum could adversely impact the current international efforts to defeat Islamic State, Barzani said that such a claim is only an excuse which could be proven the opposite.

In response to the positions of Turkey and Iran on the referendum, Barzani made it clear that Erbil wishes a friendly relation with all the neighbours and states, but may not tolerate the “threatening language”.