Parliamentary power: Kurds did not provide a convincing justification for non-commitment to pay oil money

[tigergorzow]

Kurdistan Referendum Delegations to Visit Foreign Countries Soon

 

Leyla H. Sherwani

26/08/2017 - 18:33

Kurdistan

 

 

 

 

ERBIL— Delegations from the Kurdistan Region will soon visit the neighboring countries for holding talks over the independence referendum of Kurdistan and are expected to conclude their visits to all major international and regional players by September 20, said an official.

Speaking to BasNews on Saturday, Mohammed Sa'daddin, a member of the Kurdistan High Referendum Council (KHRC), stated the preparations for sending the delegations were launched on Thursday.

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)'s Department of Foreign Relations is coordinating the visits and as their first stations the delegations will be Tehran and Ankara, Sa'daddin said.

The countries who respond sooner to the official demand of the department will be visited sooner.

KHRC recently concluded a one-week tour to Baghdad in which the delegation staged "frank" talks with the authorities, political and religious leaders in Baghdad over the independence vote.

Sa'daddin, who represents the Turkmen component in KHRC, also told BasNews that countries in the Arab world which are allies to Kurdistan or play a key role in the region, as Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries will be visited by the referendum delegations.

France, the UK, the US and Russia are at the top of the list of the countries the delegations intend to discuss with the independence referendum, according to the Turkmen leader.

The countries who were previously against Kurdistan independence vote have now expressed their willingness to receive Kurdistan delegations, Sa'daddin stated.

The independence vote will take place on September 25, 2017 in the Kurdistan Region and the areas that are currently run by Baghdad but are populated by Kurds.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/373854

[tigergorzow]

Barzani: People of Kurdistan Need Independence to Live in Peace

 

Leyla H. Sherwani

26/08/2017 - 19:17

Kurdistan

 

 

 

  
ERBIL— Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani called on the Kurdistani diaspora to vote "yes" in the independence referendum of the Kurdistan Region, which will take place on September 25 this year.

A large festival to back the independence vote was launched today in Cologne, Germany.

Besides Kurdish dispora, who came from across Europe, several foreign writers and supports of Kurds attended the festival, in which Barzani's message for the participants was read out.  
President Barzani extended his thanks to the participants, saying "The voice of honorable people like you will motivate and empower your sisters and brothers in Kurdistan."

He reiterated the "referendum is not an objective, but a tool to reach a greater objective: independence," which all the components of Kurdistan will share, disregard their ethnicity or religion.

 
In his message Barzani referred to the factors which pushed the people of Kurdistan towards referendum.

He wrote "The nation of Kurdistan does not accept oppression and subordination. Therefore, now, in a democratic and civic way, the people of Kurdistan have two choices: either to stay with a state which always attempts to wipe us away or go ahead for independence."

 
"To protect themselves and live in peace and take a step forward, the people of Kurdistan need independence. To avoid conflict and problems with Iraq, the nation of Kurdistan should have its own sovereignty."

 
Barzani concluded his message by calling on the festival attendees to support independence of Kurdistan.

"And for the September 25 referendum, I am calling on you to execute your patriotic, national, and democratic duty and support independence with your full force," he wrote.
  

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/373865

[tigergorzow]

Kurdistan Referendum Day to Be Celebrated in Mass Wedding

 

Leyla H. Sherwani

26/08/2017 - 20:29

Kurdistan

 

 

 

ERBIL— Over one hundred youth from the Kurdistan Region has so far registered their names to celebrate their wedding in a mass ceremony on the day of holding the independence referendum of Kurdistan, September 25, 2017.

The youth are encouraged by a civil society organization, the Youth Group towards Referendum, to set their wedding for the referendum day.

Hiwa Jamal, the chairman of the group, told BasNews on Saturday that their organization, which operates across Kurdistan and whose members have different political affiliations, also arranges for the mass wedding on the voting date.

The organization has also representatives in all the courts of Kurdistan who advise the engaged people to organize their wedding for September 25.

For many in the Kurdistan Region, who have suffered countless ordeals at the hands of the successive Iraqi governments, the referendum marks as the first practical step towards independence which they have laid so much hope in.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/373877

[tigergorzow]

In Pictures: Kurdish Diaspora Rallies in support of Kurdistan’s Independence

 

Basnews English

26/08/2017 - 14:18

Diaspora

 

 

 

COLOGNE — Thousands of Kurds living in different European countries have gathered in Cologne today to reaffirm their support to Kurdistan Region’s imminent independence referendum.

The attendees, according to the photographs sent by BasNews reporter from the scene, are holding Kurdistan flags and chanting verses in support of statehood.

Kurdistan Region has set the Independence vote for 25th September this year. It’s electoral commission is now preparing for the plan which also includes the Kurdish disputed areas outside the official borders of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/diaspora/373756

[tigergorzow]

Barzani Suggests Separate Province Status for Mosul Plains: Official

 

Basnews English

26/08/2017 - 14:25

Kurdistan

 

 

 

ERBIL — Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani has suggesting the formation of a separate provincial administration to include the areas of Mosul Plains, an official said.

The region, located in Iraq’s northern province of Nineveh, is home to mainly religious and ethnic minorities, including Syriac Christians, Yezidis, Shabaks and Turkmens.

“Members of the Nineveh Provincial Council, including Kurdish, Arab and Trukmen representatives, all support President Barzani’s initiative to create a separate province covering the Mosul Plains,” said Ghazwan Dawoodi, a member of the council.

“[The population of] Mosul Plains do not desire to be again ruled by Baghdad,” he told BasNews, calling on Barzani to deploy Kurdish Peshmerga forces and bring the region under Erbil’s protection.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/373759

[tigergorzow]

Europe Will Recognize De Facto Standing of Kurdistan after Referendum: KRG Diplomat

 

Leyla H. Sherwani

27/08/2017 - 16:36

Kurdistan

 

 

 

 

ERBIL— Though the European countries have not openly supported Kurdistan Region for running the independence referendum, they will  deal with the de facto after holding the vote, said a Kurdish diplomat on Sunday.

Whenever the Kurdistan Region made its choice, the decision will become de facto and Europe will recognize the reality, said Delavar Ajgeiy, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)'s representative to the European Parliament.

Europe has prepared itself for all the possibilities, therefore, after the independence vote the positions will all become clear, he told BasNews.

The KRG diplomat noted some European countries back Kurdistan referendum and have informed Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani about their position.

The only observation that the European countries have over referendum is its timing which they believe is "inappropriate," Ajgeiy stated, adding "This does not mean they are against the vote."  

On September 25 this year the referendum will take place.

Ajgeiy thought in the past few days, and especially after the launch of Kurdistan independence festival in Germany, many renowned European politicians, writers, intellectuals and athletes have shown support for the vote.

"This support is amplifying and the independence festival will influence the final decision of the European countries," Ajgeiy remarked, noting the supporters in the festival were treated as citizens of the an independent state.

The festival was launched on Saturday in Cologne and hundreds of Kurdish and foreign supporters came from across Europe to attend the support rally.

   

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/374082

[yota691]

Barzani adviser threatens to close the border with Iran, Turkey and the National Union sticks to the referendum

 

 Since 2017-08-28 at 12:43 (Baghdad time)

 Baghdad Mawazine News

The adviser to the President of the Kurdistan region Hainam Hawrami, on Monday, that neighboring countries of the region will not close its borders in the event of independence for the benefit of those countries of the annual profits of trade with Kurdistan.

Hawrami said in a symposium on the map of the State of Kurdistan, which was held in Erbil today, that "it is true that Turkey and Iran have expressed their position on the referendum," noting "Here I want to make you my love and my brothers and sisters that the Kurdistan is not as it was before 100 is now a decision Political, economic and security in the region. "

"Four percent of Turkey's total annual financial output and 15 percent of Iran's exports are from Kurdistan," he said. "We close our borders to our own. We will also close our borders."

He pointed out that "the delegation that visited Baghdad was to negotiate independence after the referendum and how to be two neighboring countries."

While describing the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Adnan Mufti during his participation in the symposium, the referendum to be held on September 25 next as "an opportunity not repeated," calling on the Kurds to "not lose that opportunity of their hands because it will not repeat them again."

"The referendum is a strategic opportunity that has come to us and we should not lose it because it will not be repeated again," the mufti said.

He called on the Mufti to isolate the problems and differences on the question of the referendum, saying that "the referendum is a national duty for all and we must unite our speech and this side."

[yota691]

Shocking statements of a senior Kurdish official on the referendum of the region

Editorial date: 2017/8/27 22:58 • 442 times read

[Ayna - Baghdad] 
A senior Kurdish official made shocking statements about the decision of the Kurdistan region to hold a referendum on independence from Iraq to be held on September 25 next.

"The Kurdish political delegation discussed the actual problems with the central government in Baghdad," the official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday, quoting the Assistant President of the Republic for Kurdish Affairs, Rashid Rashid, in an interview with him on the results of the visit of the delegation of the Supreme Council for Referendum in the province. "The talks have reached a number of positive points, including the announcement of the readiness of Prime Minister [Haider Abadi] and Iraqi officials to solve problems with the Kurdistan region." 
On the success of the center and the region to solve their problems in a unified Iraq, Rashid said: "Hope of the Kurds of Iraq to take a step in the direction of solving their problems with the central government. As for the referendum should be raised this issue first with the central government and neighboring countries, Parliament is not to be a partisan slogan or personally. "
"I do not think the floor is available so far for this referendum, which must pass through the people's deputies. Parliament must devote enough time to discuss and analyze the dimensions of this issue; in my opinion, not only the referendum floor has not yet been available, Its procedure is not clear. " 

"We can not ask an [Israeli] official or any state in the region not to express its point of view, but what I can emphasize is that the region should have better relations with the central government," said the aide. Baghdad and neighboring countries. "
On the relations between Baghdad and Tehran and how he sees it, Rachid said, "Iran occupies an important position in relations with Iraq. The existence of strong relations between the two countries is not an emergency. We have common denominators with Iran in terms of historical, social, geographical and religious ties. From support to the Iraqi people during the days of confronting the dictator Saddam Hussein, as well as in a confrontational confrontation, we have friendly relations with Iran. " 
The President of the Kurdistan region Massoud Barzani, more than once confirmed the determination of the region to hold a referendum on independence despite strong opposition from Baghdad and political forces and a regional and great.
Barzani said today that "the people of Kurdistan will not bear the repetition of failed experiments, and as long as we have not succeeded in establishing the foundations and principles of the Union in Iraq about a hundred years ago, and as the government of Baghdad is still beyond the rights of the people of Kurdistan, Destiny, and wish this people to live in a positive relationship with Baghdad along side, and build good neighborly relations with them. "

[yota691]

Council votes to participate in the referendum with Kurdistan

 

Twilight News    

 

 2 hours ago

 

 

The province of Kirkuk voted in a meeting held on Tuesday by a majority of the audience on the request of the governor of Najmuddin Karim to participate in the referendum in the referendum to be held on September 25 next September with the Kurdistan Region.

The meeting was held earlier this morning in the presence of the Governor personally and the rest of the members of the Council of various components except the Turkmen Front and the Arab bloc.

And voted 22 members of the Council on the request submitted by the governor, and thus will open Kirkuk officially the Independent High Electoral Commission for the referendum in Kurdistan to participate in the referendum.

 

Keywords: 

[yota691]

Kirkuk Council votes to participate in referendum on independence of Kurdistan

 

 Since 2017-08-29 at 11:14 (Baghdad time)

Baghdad Mawazine News

The Kirkuk Provincial Council voted Tuesday to participate in the referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan region, scheduled for September 25.

A source familiar with / Mawazin News /, "The Kirkuk Provincial Council voted during a meeting held today, a majority on the request of the governor of Najmuddin Karim to share the province in the referendum of Kurdistan."

The source added that "22 members of the Council voted on the request."

It is noteworthy that the Kirkuk Provincial Council held a meeting earlier in the day, in the presence of the Governor and the rest of the members of the Council of different components except the Turkmen Front and the Arab bloc.

[yota691]

Council of Kirkuk votes on the annexation of the province to the referendum in the province of Arabs and Turkmen (expanded)

Release date: 2017/8/29 11:45 • 208 times read

Iraq's provincial council voted Tuesday to approve the province's participation in a referendum on the Kurdistan region for independence from Iraq scheduled for September 25.

The Arab and Turkmen List boycotted the voting session attended by the Governor of Kirkuk, Najmuddin Karim, and members of the list of delay. 
The governor of Kirkuk, Necmettin Karim, said that article 140 is a constitutional article and the reason for the delay lies with the central government. "I have met with some of those who boycotted this meeting and said we would like to attend but we fear the media. In Kirkuk, in order to say that we warned you and did not listen and here has been achieved prophecy, "he said. 
The Kirkuk Provincial Council also voted on March 28, 2017, for the decision to raise the flag of Kurdistan along with the Iraqi flag on the buildings of government departments and institutions in Kirkuk, amid the boycott of some members of the Council of Arabs and Turkmen. 
The Administrative Court challenged the decision to raise the flag of the province in Kirkuk and promised to contravene the Constitution

[yota691]

First Published: 2017-08-29

Kirkuk's participation in a referendum in the Kurdistan region irritates Baghdad

The provincial council votes for its participation in the referendum of independence and the Iraqi government confirms that the provinces can not make decisions alone.

Middle East Online

'Illegal step' KIRKUK, Iraq (Reuters) - The Kirkuk provincial council, disputed by Baghdad's central government and the northern Iraqi Kurdistan region, voted Tuesday to approve the province's participation in a referendum on independence scheduled for Sept. 25. Baghdad renewed its refusal to hold the referendum, saying that the decision of the Kirkuk Provincial Council is illegal and unconstitutional. "The majority vote, in the presence of 24 members (out of 41) on the participation of Kirkuk in the referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan region." The vote was held in the presence of the governor of Kirkuk, Najmuddin Karim, in the middle of the province by Iraqi and Turkmen council members. Far from voting, Karim told reporters that "participation in the referendum is a historic event." In the first reaction of the Iraqi government to this decision, the spokesman for the Office of Prime Minister Saad al-Hadithi that "Kirkuk is part of the provinces not associated with the region, and participate in periodic meetings and administratively and financially linked to the federal government." The modern that "any step contrary to the Constitution and the law we reject categorically, because it is not true and is not permissible and can not be the provinces to take decisions away from the federal government." For his part, said the head of the Turkmen Front MP Arshad Salhi that "what the Council of the province of Kirkuk, illegal," warning that it "will enter Iraq in more conflicts." Al-Hadithi reiterated Baghdad's rejection of the referendum, saying that "our position on holding the referendum is unconstitutional ... We reject the holding of this referendum whether in the Kurdistan region or areas outside the borders of the region." On June 7, the president of the region Massoud Barzani announced that a referendum will be held in the Kurdish areas of Iraq on 25 September to establish an independent state. Although the vote is non-binding, it forms the basis for an independent state whose project has been brewing since the Iraqi Kurds gained autonomy from the Baghdad government after the Gulf War in 1991. The Kurdistan region of three provinces in northern Iraq has been self-governing since 1991.

[yota691]

Kurdistan Commission: More than 110,000 citizens have visited voter registration centers

- 8/29/2017 3:04:00 AM8 Number of readings

 

 

 

 

Khandan -

The Electoral Commission for the Referendum in the Kurdistan region announced that more than 110 thousand citizens have reviewed voter registration centers in the province during the past week. 

The UNHCR said in its statistics, that 110,723 people reviewed the registration centers to update the electoral records and ensure the existence of their names. 

According to the statistics, the names of 843 citizens were added to the right to vote, 69 names were deleted, 6920 were transferred to other centers and 1423 were corrected for errors in their names. 

On August 20, 2017, the Electoral Commission for the Referendum and Referendum in Kurdistan (KRG) opened polling stations in front of voters to update their electoral records and verify their names or transfer them to other polling stations.

[2fast4u2c]

Great news....Kurds keeping pressure on Baghdad to resolve 140 & HCL!!

[1lucdog]

Barzani: Maliki’s Crime against Kurdish Region Worse than Saddam’s Anfal Operation

GHASSAN CHARBEL11 mins ago 5

 

Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani. (Reuters)

 

Irbil – President of the Kurdish Iraqi Region Masoud Barzani expressed his disappointment and “bitterness” towards former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Baghdad’s treatment of Kurds during his time in office.

Barzani told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday that Maliki’s term deepened the Kurdish desire for independence from Iraq, accusing the former PM of “committing a crime against the Region that was worse than Saddam Hussein’s Anfal operation” that left more than 180,000 Kurds dead.

He therefore reiterated his commitment to holding the Kurdish independence referendum as scheduled on September 25, saying: “The vote is decisive and it is the choice of the people and the majority of political forces in Kurdistan.”

The referendum must be held on time “unless there is a better alternative”.

Asked if this alternative exists, he replied that “this is just an opinion as there is a higher referendum council in Kurdistan that takes decisions unanimously.”

“We have heard from several sides that the timing of the vote was not appropriate and that it should be postponed for six months or a year…. Such an alternative would require guarantees from the Iraqi government and parliament, the United States, International Coalition, European Union and United Nations,” Barzani explained.

He noted however that such guarantees seem unlikely at the moment, which means that the referendum will be held on time.

Moreover, the Kurdish leader stressed that he will respect the will of the people if they rejected the independence, revealing that he would resign if such a result emerged and possibly quit political life.

He remarked however that it seems that the people are prepared and excited to hold the referendum, predicting that the majority will vote in favor of independence, “but all options are still on the table”.

Commenting on a meeting he held around a month ago with an Iranian delegation, Barzani revealed that it had relayed to him Tehran’s call for cooperation and coordination, but its reservations on the vote.

Iran said that the timing of the referendum was “not appropriate” and that it was better for Irbil and Baghdad to resolve their disputes and return to the constitution. He added that he did not receive any threat from the delegation over the vote, revealing that some Iranian threats were later made through the media, but he did not go into details.

The Kurdish leader also received at a later date Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who reiterated Iran’s stance on the referendum. The Turkish official noted that the war against ISIS was not over yet and that “the referendum may affect the security and stability in the region.”

“Cavusoglu acknowledged that the Kurds have been wronged, that the constitution was not properly implemented and that the region has the right to demand these rights, but hoped that this may take place within Iraq,” continued Barzani.

“We explained to him our perspective and our frustration after all efforts to establish real partnership with Baghdad failed. We did agree on maintaining contacts,” he said.

This is the same stance that he relayed to US Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who echoed Ankara and Tehran’s concerns over the referendum.

Barzani did not rule out the possibility that the Kurdish region may end up being “besieged by Iran, Turkey and Syria,” adding: “We may be harmed by this, by they will be harmed even more if they resort to such a step.”

On the post-Saddam period after 2003, he expressed his “huge” frustration over the failure to establish a diversified and democratic Iraq.

“Everyone knows that we exerted great efforts to prepare for the overthrow of the regime in 2002 and we took part in the military operations. We have no regrets, but we were hoping for a greater opportunity and a chance for a new Iraq, based on fraternity and a federal democracy. We tried hard to achieve this goal, including the drafting of and voting on the constitution. Had it not been for the Kurdish people, the constitution would not have been a success,” he stressed.

“We initially agreed to establish a democratic civil state, but day after day it became very clear that the state shifted to become a religious sectarian one in Baghdad,” he lamented.

“They mobilized armies against us and cut the Kurdish region’s budget. Even if there are disputes between the region and Baghdad, how is this acceptable? Let us assume that we are in the wrong, how could a prime minister dare, with a stroke of a pen, cut the livelihood of an entire people? This is another form of the Anfal operation,” he declared.

“Yes, Maliki committed another version of the Anfal operation, but in another uglier way. We did not hear single voice of protest by any religious leadership or Shi’ite political parties in Iraq. We sought to establish a democratic federal Iraq, but Baghdad refused and we reached a conviction that we are not wanted there.”

He also accused the former Iraqi premier of withholding arms dedicated to the Kurdish Peshmerga forces that were allotted to it by the constitution. These same weapons eventually landed in the hands of ISIS, he revealed.

“Even in the war against ISIS, they did not offer to help us. We are the ones who helped the Iraqi army and allowed it to come to Mosul. We destroyed ISIS’ first line of defense and opened the way for the army… Even up to this moment, violations were committed, not by the army, but the Popular Mobilization Forces,” Barzani said.

In fact, he stated that he was surprised by the close cooperation between the Peshmerga and Iraqi army, despite the 50 to 60 years of war between them.

Asked if current Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi’s arrival to office improved ties between Irbil and Baghdad, Barzani replied: “He wanted to resolve these problems and he is different from others, but there are several obstacles ahead of him. I enjoy good ties with him and we are in constant contact, but I have reached a conclusion that Abadi cannot fulfill his pledges to us due to reasons out of his control.”

This reality and “the failure of Arab-Kurdish coexistence” in Iraq prompted Kurdistan to push for independence, he stressed.

[yota691]

Barzani accepts conditional postponement of the referendum and supports the establishment of a territory for the year [expanded]

In policy  August 30, 2017  on Barzani accept a conditional postponement of the referendum and supports the establishment of a territory for the year [extended] closed 33 visits

 

 

Baghdad / SNG 
The head of the Kurdistan region, Massoud Barzani, expressed conditional acceptance to postpone the referendum on the independence of the region scheduled for September 25 next. 
"The referendum is a crucial decision, the decision of the people, and the decision of most of the political forces in Kurdistan that the referendum should be held on September 25, unless there is a better alternative," Barzani said in an interview published in the Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday.
"There is a higher council for the referendum, which is the political leadership in Kurdistan, which is decided by consensus, not by one person, but if there is, as we hear from many parties, that Is the timing not appropriate, and postponed for six months or a year, is it ready to sign a document that on 25 September 2018, for example, will recognize the results of the referendum and accept the results, and these results in the interest of independence? Such an alternative may be studied if it is on the table. " 
And on the side that wants this alternative said: "First of the Iraqi government and the Iraqi parliament and then the American guarantee and the international coalition and the European Union and the United Nations, without which means that the referendum on time."
On the assumption of refusal of the Kurds to the referendum during the vote Barzani said that "will be subject to the opinion of the people and will remain on any responsibility, I have done my duty to my people, and if the people decided to reject independence, respect the will of my people and devote myself to my private life." 
"If the people say no, I do not think that I have any room left to work," he said. "The vote will be very high, but the odds are all the same." 
"I am sure Abadi wants to solve these problems, he is different from others, but there are many obstacles and obstacles in front of him," Barzani said. 
"My relationship with him [Abadi] is good and there is constant contact between us, but I have reached the conviction that Abadi can not carry out what he promises us, for reasons beyond his control."
"We are ready to negotiate with Baghdad even after the referendum on the issue of borders, including Kirkuk, but Kirkuk is a Kurdish city, its identity is a Kurdish identity, and we are ready to make it a model for national, religious and sectarian coexistence," he said. 
"But any force that thinks of reclaiming Kirkuk by force will be confronted by all the people of Kurdistan who are prepared to die to the last person to defend it."
"Kirkuk is not just a Kurdish city, it is for the Kurds, the Arabs, the Turkomans and the Christians, and they must understand and agree with each other, even for all Kurdistan, we do not want to have a central state but a system that is like a federal system inside Kurdistan. The local parliament and the local parliament and the capital will be in Erbil, as well as sovereign issues such as the army, foreign policy and fiscal policy, but in other matters, these provinces are running themselves, and we may not think of a centralized ruling authoritarian, on the contrary we must be completely open. 
Barzani acknowledged Israel's support for the establishment of the Kurdish state, but ruled out it as a model for the fledgling state of south Sudan and the outbreak of conflicts and fighting between the Kurds themselves, citing the autonomy that the Kurds had gained after 1991 and 2003.
He revealed his advice to the Sunnis in Iraq to establish their own province. "They said we are with the Iraqi unity, and the truth is that the Sunnis paid the price, and today we look at the destruction, all in the Sunni areas, so they destroyed their homes and cities. 
"We are ready to help them and if the Sunnis decide to establish a territory in Iraq, we will support them," he said. "Sunnis now want a territory, but now the Shiites do not accept. I have met with many Sunni Arabs whose regions are located within the Kurdistan region. "He said.

[yota691]

Barzani proposes a referendum alternative and gives the possibility of his resignation

 

 Since 2017-08-30 at 09:37 (Baghdad time)

Baghdad Mawazine News

Put the President of the Kurdistan region of Iraq Massoud Barzani, alternative to the referendum on the independence of the region, stressing if the people decided to reject independence, respect the will of my people and devote myself to my private life, and resigned.

"The period of the rule of Nuri al - Maliki in Baghdad deepened the desire of the people of the region to divorce and independence," Barzani said in an interview with the newspaper "Middle East," he accused al - Maliki that "carried out in the territory of the crime is greater than what Saddam Hussein did in the process of Anfal Which led to the deaths of more than 180 thousand Kurds. "

Asked Barzani as we entered the stage of days and historical weeks for the Kurdistan region? "We certainly entered it and from a wide angle."

And the possibility of postponing the referendum on independence on 25 September? "The referendum is a decisive decision, which is the people's decision, and the decision of most of the political forces in Kurdistan that the referendum should be held on September 25, unless there is a better alternative," Barzani said.

"There is a higher council for the referendum, which is the political leadership in Kurdistan, which is decided by consensus and not by the decision of one person," he said. "But if there is, as we hear from many parties, The timing is not appropriate, and the postponement is for six months or a year. Is there a willingness to sign a document that on September 25, 2018, for example, the results of the referendum will be recognized and the results accepted, and these results were in the interest of independence?

He added that "this alternative must be first by the Iraqi government and the Iraqi parliament and then the American guarantee and the international coalition and the European Union and the United Nations, and if not available, it means that the referendum on time."

"I will do my duty to my people. If the people decide to reject independence, I will respect the will of my people and devote myself to my own life. I will definitely resign. If the people say no, no, no, no, no, no. I think it keeps me in the field. "

"The popular mood we see today is joyous, enthusiastic and ready to vote. You have seen the great gathering that took place in the city of Cologne in Germany, where thousands of people from Kurdistan gathered there and said with one voice: Yes to the referendum, There are perhaps people who are afraid of the result, are not sure of it or not convinced, and of course this is democracy, and the question in the referendum is whether you are independent of Kurdistan or not, so the answer is yes or no. , And I expect the voting rate to be very high, but the odds are all "29 / a

[yota691]

Arab and Turkmen rejection of the inclusion of Kirkuk referendum Kurdistan

30/8/2017 12:00 am  After the vote of the provincial council in the absence of components  Baghdad / morning The vote of the provincial council of Kirkuk on Tuesday, approving the participation of the province in the referendum of the Kurdistan region scheduled to be held on September 25 next, rejected by Arab and Turkmen and even Kurdish. The Arab and Turkmen List boycotted the voting session attended by the Governor of Kirkuk, Najmuddin Karim and members of the brotherhood list.  The governor of Kirkuk said in a statement: «Article 140 constitutional article», he said.  Article 140 of the Constitution states: "First: The executive authority shall take the necessary steps to complete the implementation of the requirements of Article (58) of the Transitional Administrative Law of Iraq, in all its paragraphs. Second: The responsibility of the Executive Authority in the Transitional Government , Which is stipulated in Article (58) of the Iraqi Transitional Administration Law, extends and continues to the Executive Authority elected under this Constitution, to be completed in full (normalization, statistics, and ending with a referendum in Kirkuk and other disputed areas to determine the will of its citizens). The Kirkuk Provincial Council also voted on March 28, 2017, for the decision to raise the flag of Kurdistan alongside the Iraqi flag on the buildings of government departments and institutions in Kirkuk, amid the boycott of some members of the Council of Arabs and Turkmen, but the Administrative Court challenged the decision to raise the flag of the province in Kirkuk and promise Contrary to the Constitution.  Vice President Osama Najafi announced yesterday his rejection of the inclusion of Kirkuk and the disputed areas by a referendum of Kurdistan.  His office said in a statement: «Nujaifi confirmed during a meeting yesterday, Ambassador of New Zealand to Iraq, Bardley Saouden refused to include Kirkuk and the disputed areas by referendum Kurdistan region». The Arab component in the province of Kirkuk also voted the provincial council of Kirkuk inclusive of the province by referendum "unconstitutional", and is not bound by any future measures that change the status of the province. "The policy of the status quo that the Kurdistan Regional Government is trying to impose on the province of Kirkuk will respond to the options available to the Arab component. We are also going to demand from the federal government that the governor of Kirkuk should be replaced after he failed," said Mohammad Tamim, general coordinator of the National Union of Forces Party. To maintain security and stability in this province », he said.  The deputy also announced the Turkmen component Hassan Turan determination of the component resort to the judiciary to veto the decision of the Council of Kirkuk, which voted on today to participate in the referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan region, calling on the people to boycott the referendum to avoid «negative effects». "Once again, the administration of Kirkuk and the brotherly Kirkuk list have proved that they no longer recognize any partnership in the province and adopt a monolithic unilateral approach that is in violation of the Iraqi Constitution and the laws in force," Turan told a news conference.

[yota691]

Barzani accepts conditional postponement of the referendum and supports the establishment of a territory for the year [expanded]

Release date: 2017/8/30 12:49 • 196 times read

[Ayna - Baghdad] 
The President of the Kurdistan region, Massoud Barzani, conditional admission to postpone the referendum on independence of the region scheduled for September 25 next.

"The referendum is a crucial decision, the decision of the people, and the decision of most of the political forces in Kurdistan that the referendum should be held on September 25, unless there is a better alternative," Barzani said in an interview published in the Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday. 
"There is a higher council for the referendum, which is the political leadership in Kurdistan, which is decided by consensus, not by one person, but if there is, as we hear from many parties, that The timing is not appropriate and is postponed for six months or a year. Is it ready to sign a document that on 25 September 2018, for example, the results of the referendum will be recognized and the results accepted, and these results were in the interest of independence?
And on the side that wants this alternative said: "First of the Iraqi government and the Iraqi parliament and then the American guarantee and the international coalition and the European Union and the United Nations, without which means that the referendum on time." 
On the assumption of refusal of the Kurds to the referendum during the vote Barzani said that "will be subject to the opinion of the people and will remain on any responsibility, I have done my duty to my people, and if the people decided to reject independence, respect the will of my people and devote myself to my private life." 
"If the people say no, I do not think that I have any room left to work," he said. "The vote will be very high, but the odds are all the same." 
"I am sure Abadi wants to solve these problems, he is different from others, but there are many obstacles and obstacles in front of him," Barzani said.
"My relationship with him [Abadi] is good and there is constant contact between us, but I have reached the conviction that Abadi can not carry out what he promises us, for reasons beyond his control." 
"We are ready to negotiate with Baghdad even after the referendum on the issue of borders, including Kirkuk, but Kirkuk is a Kurdish city, its identity is a Kurdish identity, and we are ready to make it a model for national, religious and sectarian coexistence," he said. 
"But any force that thinks of reclaiming Kirkuk by force will be confronted by all the people of Kurdistan who are prepared to die to the last person to defend it."
"Kirkuk is not just a Kurdish city, it is for the Kurds, the Arabs, the Turkomans and the Christians, and they must understand and agree with each other, even for all Kurdistan, we do not want to have a central state but a system that is like a federal system inside Kurdistan. The local parliament and the local parliament and the capital will be in Erbil, as well as sovereign issues such as the army, foreign policy and fiscal policy, but in other matters, these provinces are running themselves, and we should not think of a central ruling authoritarian, on the contrary we must be completely open. 
Barzani acknowledged Israel's support for the establishment of the Kurdish state, but ruled out it as a model for the fledgling state of south Sudan and the outbreak of conflicts and fighting between the Kurds themselves, citing the autonomy that the Kurds had gained after 1991 and 2003.
He revealed his advice to the Sunnis in Iraq to establish their own province. "They said we are with the Iraqi unity, and the truth is that the Sunnis paid the price, and today we look at the destruction, all in the Sunni areas, so they destroyed their homes and cities. 
"We are ready to help them and if the Sunnis decide to establish a territory in Iraq, we will support them," he said. "Sunnis now want a territory, but now the Shiites do not accept. I have met with many Sunni Arabs whose regions are located within the Kurdistan region. "He said.

[justchecking123]

6 hours ago, yota691 said:

Barzani accepts conditional postponement of the referendum and supports the establishment of a territory for the year [expanded]

Release date: 2017/8/30 12:49 • 196 times read

[Ayna - Baghdad] 
The President of the Kurdistan region, Massoud Barzani, conditional admission to postpone the referendum on independence of the region scheduled for September 25 next.

"The referendum is a crucial decision, the decision of the people, and the decision of most of the political forces in Kurdistan that the referendum should be held on September 25, unless there is a better alternative," Barzani said in an interview published in the Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday. 
"There is a higher council for the referendum, which is the political leadership in Kurdistan, which is decided by consensus, not by one person, but if there is, as we hear from many parties, that The timing is not appropriate and is postponed for six months or a year. Is it ready to sign a document that on 25 September 2018, for example, the results of the referendum will be recognized and the results accepted, and these results were in the interest of independence?
And on the side that wants this alternative said: "First of the Iraqi government and the Iraqi parliament and then the American guarantee and the international coalition and the European Union and the United Nations, without which means that the referendum on time." 
On the assumption of refusal of the Kurds to the referendum during the vote Barzani said that "will be subject to the opinion of the people and will remain on any responsibility, I have done my duty to my people, and if the people decided to reject independence, respect the will of my people and devote myself to my private life." 
"If the people say no, I do not think that I have any room left to work," he said. "The vote will be very high, but the odds are all the same." 
"I am sure Abadi wants to solve these problems, he is different from others, but there are many obstacles and obstacles in front of him," Barzani said.
"My relationship with him [Abadi] is good and there is constant contact between us, but I have reached the conviction that Abadi can not carry out what he promises us, for reasons beyond his control." 
"We are ready to negotiate with Baghdad even after the referendum on the issue of borders, including Kirkuk, but Kirkuk is a Kurdish city, its identity is a Kurdish identity, and we are ready to make it a model for national, religious and sectarian coexistence," he said. 
"But any force that thinks of reclaiming Kirkuk by force will be confronted by all the people of Kurdistan who are prepared to die to the last person to defend it."
"Kirkuk is not just a Kurdish city, it is for the Kurds, the Arabs, the Turkomans and the Christians, and they must understand and agree with each other, even for all Kurdistan, we do not want to have a central state but a system that is like a federal system inside Kurdistan. The local parliament and the local parliament and the capital will be in Erbil, as well as sovereign issues such as the army, foreign policy and fiscal policy, but in other matters, these provinces are running themselves, and we should not think of a central ruling authoritarian, on the contrary we must be completely open. 
Barzani acknowledged Israel's support system" rel="">support for the establishment of the Kurdish state, but ruled out it as a model for the fledgling state of south Sudan and the outbreak of conflicts and fighting between the Kurds themselves, citing the autonomy that the Kurds had gained after 1991 and 2003.
He revealed his advice to the Sunnis in Iraq to establish their own province. "They said we are with the Iraqi unity, and the truth is that the Sunnis paid the price, and today we look at the destruction, all in the Sunni areas, so they destroyed their homes and cities. 
"We are ready to help them and if the Sunnis decide to establish a territory in Iraq, we will support system" rel="">support them," he said. "Sunnis now want a territory, but now the Shiites do not accept. I have met with many Sunni Arabs whose regions are located within the Kurdistan region. "He said.

How did this get buried? 

[yota691]

Maliki warns of the inclusion of Kirkuk by referendum

31/8/2017 12:00 am   Baghdad / Sabah   warned Vice President Nuri al-Maliki of the inclusion of Kirkuk referendum Kurdistan region, stressing that it will increase challenges. Maliki said in his remarks yesterday on his position on the crisis of the referendum in the Kurdistan region and the inclusion of the province of Kirkuk, where: «The decision of the referendum in Kurdistan and the inclusion of the province of Kirkuk, which will undermine all hopes on finding a solution to end the crisis with the region». Maliki promised this step «escalation», and the introduction of more challenges and differences and perhaps fighting between the components of the areas allegedly called for the conflict », calling« all of the wise in Kurdistan and the whole of Iraq and the House of Representatives and the Government to take urgent measures to avoid this dangerous development to protect the unity and safety of the interests of all Iraqis And the sovereignty of their country ». The Kirkuk provincial council voted on Tuesday to take part in a referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan region, scheduled for September 25, amid the boycott of the Arab and Turkmen components. In the meantime, the deputy for the Turkmen component Jasim Mohammed Jaafar, the collection of signatures of 145 deputies to withdraw confidence from the governor of Kirkuk, Najmuddin Karim. Al-Bayati said in a statement yesterday, the Prime Minister to approve the list sent by the House of Representatives, which clearly shows the constitutional irregularities, noting that «the approval of the Prime Minister on these regulations will grant the power to the House of Representatives to vote on the withdrawal of confidence from him, Governor of Nineveh when the vote was to withdraw confidence from him and replace him with the current governor ». The Kurdistan region President Massoud Barzani had confirmed in a press statement that «the region is ready to negotiate with Baghdad after the referendum on the border, including Kirkuk». Barzani added that «the Kurdistan region is ready to negotiate with Baghdad even after the referendum on the subject of borders, including Kirkuk», noting that «Kirkuk is a Kurdish city and its identity is a Kurdish identity», he said.

[nannab]

For the love of all that is holy someone shut this fool up! Please and thank you.

[yota691]

A campaign of signatures to withdraw confidence from the governor of Kirkuk

31/8/2017 12:00 am   BAGHDAD / Al-Sabah   In a time revealed by a Turkmen deputy for a campaign of signatures to withdraw confidence from the governor of Kirkuk after the decision to include the province referendum Kurdistan region, warned Vice President Nuri al-Maliki of this step.  Maliki said in his remarks yesterday on his position on the crisis of the referendum in the Kurdistan region and the inclusion of the province of Kirkuk, where: "The decision of the referendum in Kurdistan and the inclusion of the province of Kirkuk in it will undermine all hopes on finding a solution to end the crisis with the region."  In the meantime, the deputy for the Turkmen component Jasim Mohammed Jaafar, the collection of signatures of 145 deputies to withdraw confidence from the governor of Kirkuk, Najmuddin Karim.  Al-Bayati said in a press statement: "This can be done, as did the House of Representatives with the governor of Nineveh when the vote was to withdraw confidence from him and replace him with the current governor." The Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani had confirmed in a press statement that "the region is ready to negotiate with Baghdad after the referendum on the border, including Kirkuk."  Barzani added that "Kirkuk is a Kurdish city, and its identity is a Kurdish identity," he said.

[WaitIsOver]

So it's postponed for sure?

[Wiljor]

Looks like a blind sided sucker punch on the chops of Barzini, I think he gets the message