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

[tigergorzow]

Barzani: Kurdistan won't allow west to stop referendum

September 16 2017 09:44 PM

Kurdistan won't allow west to stop referendum

Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani asserted on Saturday that he won't allow any western official to stop the upcoming independence referendum.

He added that it's too late to speak about any alternatives for Kurdistan's referendum, noting that most Kurds are with seceding from Iraq.

He also praised the region's parliament for approving to carry out the referendum on its date on the 25th of September.

Barzani stressed that Kurdistan people have two options either to be oppressed or to be independent.

Barzani asserted that from this day Iraqi parliament has no authority over the region.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/17020/Barzani-Kurdistan-won-t-allow-west-to-stop-referendum

[tigergorzow]

Barzani: Proposed Alternative to Referendum “Only Words”

 

Basnews English

16/09/2017 - 12:51

Kurdistan

 

 

 

ERBIL — Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani said on Saturday that the world powers' proposed alternative to Kurdistan’s independence referendum was “only words”, and could not secure the future for the people of Kurdistan.

Meeting with ethnic and religious components of the Nineveh Plains, Barzani said that Erbil respects the US, UK, and UN proposal, but the decision, whether to postpone the referendum or not, is in the hands of people of Kurdistan'.

 This comes after senior representatives met with Barzani on Thursday to hand in a proposed alternative, the content of which remains unknown to the media, but appears to have been falling short of Erbil’s demands.

The Kurdistan Region has tried every method of relations with Baghdad, but all failed due to the Iraqi government’s reluctance to view Kurds as genuine partners, Barzani said, suspecting more “catastrophes” against Kurds if staying within Iraq. 

Concerning the future of the Nineveh Plains, Barzani said that these territories have been liberated by the Kurdish Peshmerga forces who shed their blood to defeat Islamic State (IS) there, but the indigenous people are the only ones who can make the decision on their destination.

He promised the future Kurdistan state to be the country of all components with the borders set via dialogues and peaceful means only.

He called on the people of Kurdistan to maintain the peaceful spirit and genuine coexistence, for which the Kurds have gained an international reputation.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/378329

[tigergorzow]

US Security Advisor on Kurdistan Referendum: We Need to Wait to See What Will Happen

 

Basnews English

16/09/2017 - 11:04

Kurdistan

 

 

 

ERBIL — The United States National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster said that they will wait to see what will happen after the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum is held.

Regarding the referendum announced by the Kurdistan Regional Government scheduled for September 25, he remarked “we have to wait to see what will happen,” said McMaster in an interview with Sharq Al Awsat.

However, the US official believes that it would be in the interest of the Kurds and the Iraqi people to keep the country united, arguing that it is not the most appropriate time to divide the country.

He explained that the main beneficiary from the division of Iraq will be the Iranian regime or organizations such as the Islamic State, both of which are fueling the ethnic and sectarian conflicts among Iraqis.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/378283

[tigergorzow]

Kurdistan’s Referendum Council to Discuss Alternative Proposed by World Powers

 

Basnews English

16/09/2017 - 15:59

Kurdistan

 

 

 

 

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Region’s High Referendum Council will hold a meeting on Saturday, September 16, to discuss the alternative to the independence referendum presented by the international community to Kurdistan Region.

Saadi Pira, member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s politburo and member of the referendum council, told BasNews that the council will convene later today to respond to the alternative to the referendum proposed by the representatives of US, UK, and France.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani said on Saturday that the world powers' proposed alternative to Kurdistan’s independence referendum was “only words”, and could not secure the future for the people of Kurdistan.

Barzani said that Erbil respects the US, UK, and UN proposal, but the decision, whether to postpone the referendum or not, is in the hands of the people of Kurdistan’.

This comes after senior representatives met with Barzani on Thursday to hand in a proposed alternative.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/378405

[tigergorzow]

The Only Path to Peace is a Kurdistan Independent of Iraq

 

Basnews English

16 September 2017

Opinion

 

 

 

The people of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will vote this month in a referendum to determine their will — whether to strive for independence or to remain as part of Iraq.

Certainly, this decision is emotional. Before the fall of Saddam Hussein, the Ba’ath Party committed genocide against our people, killing 182,000 and sending hundreds of thousands more to live abroad in exile. They used chemical weapons to decimate our villages and livelihoods, seeking to crush the Kurdish identity. Every single family was affected by this persecution.

But the decision to become independent is ultimately pragmatic, and one we must make. After the fall of Saddam, Kurdistan joined the Iraqi government, envisioning an Iraq that worked for all of us. Unfortunately, a decade of experience has taught us that our security and prosperity is a result of our own initiatives, not those of the federal government. The Constitution, which was heavily negotiated and voted on overwhelmingly in favor of, has not been honored. Key provisions, like Article 140 which would have solved the issue of the disputed territories in Sinjar, Kirkuk, and elsewhere, was never implemented. We count more than 50 other articles that have been violated.

These problems have festered, particularly in the disputed territories. Prior to 2014, the security situation in the disputed territories was very bad. There were daily terrorist attacks and explosions. For one, the relationship between the federal government and the local populations was heavily strained. Under former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi army, once a multi-ethnic force, became highly sectarian. In 2003, Kurds made up 25 percent of the Iraqi army, with Sunni Arabs being 20 to 25 percent. Today, Kurds comprise only around 1 percent of the army, Sunni Arabs 8 percent, with the rest being Shiite. The lack of political cohesion between the KRG and Baghdad meant command and control of such diverse forces was defective.

When ISIS appeared in 2014, they found a local population of Sunnis that felt marginalized by the federal government and brutalized by the military, which they saw as a Shiite force. In places like Mosul, the army evaporated, leaving behind advanced military equipment and cash that turned ISIS into the most well-funded, well-equipped terrorist organization in the world nearly overnight. With a security vacuum, the lack of social cohesion quickly led to a genocide of Yezidis and Christians.

Shortly after Mosul fell, Iraqi military forces abandoned Kirkuk. We mobilized our forces to protect Kirkuk, saving the city and its vast oil resources from also falling into ISIS hands. Since that time, Peshmerga in and around Kirkuk have repelled daily attacks from suicide bombers and ISIS forces seeking to enter the city. When they have managed to penetrate, as they did in October 2016, Kurdish counter-terrorism forces took them out. This was especially frustrating because a decade prior, our Peshmerga forces had turned over security of the city to the Iraqi Army as part of a negotiation settlement.

Kurdistan’s Peshmerga forces play an essential role in the fight against ISIS and the protection of religious and ethnic minorities. Our forces liberated thousands of square miles from ISIS and laid the groundwork for the liberation of Mosul. We have rescued 3,100 Yezidi women who were kidnapped by ISIS. And we provide sanctuary for more than 1.8 million displaced Iraqis and Syrians, an enormous burden in our region of 5.2 million. It should also be noted that virtually all of the Christians and Yezidis in Iraq are currently in Kurdistan, many having fled persecution in Baghdad and southern Iraq.

The people of Kurdistan have paid a heavy cost for peace in our region, under incredibly difficult circumstances that were more often than not a result of Baghdad’s refusal to see Kurdistan as a strategic asset, rather than a liability. In this war alone, we have suffered more than 10,155 wounded and 1,800 killed in action. The tally is more soldiers killed per capita (32 per 100,000) than United States forces lost in all of the Vietnam War (27 per 100,000).

The future for Kurdistan in Iraq is dark. The entire history of Iraq has been cycles of genocide, and already we are seeing the next war over the horizon. Iraqi society has become highly militarized and leaders of Popular Mobilization Units continue to threaten violence against Peshmerga forces, vowing to ‘liberate’ territory that we are protecting. Although there are risks associated with leaving Iraq, we see far greater risks by staying part of it.

If we are to find peace in our part of the world, local populations must be given the chance to decide their future for themselves. Iraq has failed to resolve the issues that lead to ISIS and to genocide. With 12 years of experience in Iraq, we know that Iraq’s political leaders are unable to solve those problems in the near term. And so, we have decided to take the first step towards a post-ISIS Iraq by holding a referendum.

Peace is only sustainable when local populations have constructive relationships with their security and political apparatus – this is a lesson Iraq must learn. Although there are challenges to overcome, I believe that a Kurdistan independent of Iraq is the only way to create successful political frameworks to ensure peace. 

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/opinion/378460

[tigergorzow]

Rally Continues in Erbil to Voice support for Kurdistan’s Independence

 

Mohamad Dargalaye

16/09/2017 - 23:43

Photo Gallery

 

 

 

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/multimedia/photo-gallery/378484

[tigergorzow]

Barzani: Iraqi "Chauvinist" Parliament's Decisions Invalid for Kurdistan   

 

Leyla H. Sherwani

16/09/2017 - 19:16

Kurdistan

 

 

 

 

ERBIL— The Iraqi House of Representatives has fallen into the hands of a "chauvinist" group and for the Kurdistan Region the decisions by the Iraqi parliament are "completely invalid", stated Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani on Saturday.

Thousands today gathered in Duhok for a public campaign in support of the independence referendum of the Kurdistan Region (due on 25^th September.)

Addressing the supporters, Barzani said the Iraqi authorities in the New Iraq proved they are o different from the previous rulers.

"In 2003, we hoped for a new Iraq to be established but it did not take long that they proved the same mentality is in Baghdad which denies the existence of Kurds," Barzani remarked.

He added in 2014 when the Iraqi government ordered to cut the budget of the Kurdistan Region, Baghdad launched another extermination campaign against the people of Kurdistan.

"They should have known that since the day this decision was made, our relations all ended," President Barzani stated.

"It's a pity that today some people talk with a threatening language and say this decision [for referendum] is not according to the constitution which they themselves violated," he said, calling on everybody to give up threatening for peaceful methods and dialogue.    

In his speech Barzani also responded to the parties who claimed the decision for running the referendum as "illegitimate."

He thanked Kurdistan Parliament which reconvened after almost two years and ratified the referendum decision issued by Kurdistan political leadership.

Kurdistan President reiterated the people of Kurdistan have no option but independence.

He stated "We do not betray the blood of the martyred and do not accept subordination."

"The battle is the battle of determination and we believe that the determination of this people [of Kurdistan] is stronger than any arms."

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/378444

[3n1]

thanks tiger , imo its a no brainer they're going to unanimously vote independence on the 25th ,, how long after that vote is anyone's guess when they actually will become independent ...  

[tigergorzow]

US urges Iraq's Kurds to call off referendum

September 16 2017 12:40 PM

US urges Iraq's Kurds to call off referendum

 

 

The U.S. on Friday strongly urged northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) to call off a controversial referendum on independence from Baghdad, Anadoule reported on Saturday.
 

The announcement comes hours after the KRG parliament voted to hold the poll next week despite opposition from the central government and Iraq's neighbors.

Instead of pursuing the vote, the KRG should begin "serious and sustained dialogue" with Iraq's central government, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.

KRG President Masoud Barzani said Thursday he could consider an offer to delay the vote.
The non-binding referendum is planned to see residents in provinces controlled by the KRG vote on independence from Baghdad on Sept. 25.

"The referendum is distracting from efforts to defeat ISIS and stabilize the liberated areas," she said. "Holding the referendum in disputed areas is particularly provocative and destabilizing."

The oil-rich province of Kirkuk is among the contested areas that the vote is planned to take in.

 

The Iraqi government believes that holding the referendum would violate the terms of the country's constitution.

Turkey, too, rejects it, saying the region’s stability depends on the unity of Iraq and the maintenance of its territorial integrity.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/16993/US-urges-Iraq-s-Kurds-to-call-off-referendum

[yota691]

17-09-2017 09:02 AM

Riyadh is ready to mediate and create the atmosphere for dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil

 

 

 

The Presidency of the Kurdistan region, on Sunday, a meeting between the President of the region Massoud Barzani and the Minister of State for Gulf Affairs Thamer Al-Sahban, noting that the latter expressed readiness of Riyadh to mediate and create the atmosphere for dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil. The presidency of the region, the 'President of the Kurdistan region Massoud Barzani received Saudi Minister of State for Gulf Affairs Thamer Al-Sahban', pointing out that the latter 'praised the role of the people of Kurdistan and the Peshmerga forces also stressed the continuation of Saudi-Kurdish relations. "As Sahban said, according to the statement, 'the readiness of his country to mediate and create the atmosphere for dialogue between Kurdistan and Baghdad to solve the problems between the two sides'. In turn, Barzani praised the 'continuous relations between Riyadh and Kurdistan', stressing that 'the region did not close the doors of dialogue'.

[yota691]

Iran: Separation of Kurdistan will cancel the security and military agreements and close all border crossings

 

Editor Mustafa Saad - Sunday 17 September

 

Alsumaria News / Baghdad  threatened the Secretary of the Iranian Supreme Council for National Security Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Sunday, the abolition of security and military agreements with the Kurdistan and close all border crossings with the territory in the event of Amadah referendum scheduled to take place in the twenty - fifth of the current September. "The security and military agreements will be canceled if the Kurdistan region to secede from Iraq," he said, adding that "Iran will work within the framework of securing their common border, to reconsider the way to deal with the presence and movements of terrorist elements In the Kurdistan region of Iraq hostile to the Islamic Republic of Iran and will be on steps completely different from the steps taken previously. "   He added that "the opportunity is still available to officials of Iraqi Kurdistan to respond to good initiatives aimed at securing the interests of the Kurdish people and the State of Iraq and to prevent the establishment of currents threaten security in the region," stressing that "the referendum is the closure of all border crossings with Iran."

[yota691]

Maasoum launches new initiative on the referendum crisis in Kurdistan

 

 From 2017-09-17 at 00:30 (Baghdad time)

Baghdad Mawazine News

"Iraq is facing a political crisis that threatens to exacerbate the political process and the national interest in the face of serious threats and threats that our constitutional responsibility does not allow us to leave behind, " President Fuad Masoum said Saturday .

He called Masum in a statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic read / Mawazin News / it all concerned parties, especially the legislative and executive powers at the levels of the Kurdistan region and the federal authority to urgently address the crisis and treat it as a top priority, whatever the need of extraordinary efforts .

He added that "all efforts must be made to ensure successful access to peaceful, democratic solutions based on the principle of partnership and understanding of the aspirations of the people of Kurdistan and all other citizens, rejecting provocative and extremist positions and move forward in laying the necessary trust between the two sides and moving together to build the state of citizenship and the rights we aspire to. All of them . "

He added that "the construction of the public interest we decided to launch an initiative for dialogue and we are beginning to invite the leaders of political forces to hold intensive meetings to reach a concrete and urgent solutions to ensure that overcome this crisis and go to work together to achieve common goals and to address the shortcomings and errors , whatever the differences severity of views and attitudes .

He stressed that we are fully confident in the ability of our people to overcome this crisis and emerge from it the strongest and most profound and resolute unity and determination to address the current problems and develop the democratic political system and build a bright future .

He concluded by saying that "for the immediate purpose of putting this initiative into action, we decided to cancel our travel to the meetings of the General Assembly of the United Nations and assign the sovereignty of the Prime Minister to give the word of Iraq, in it ."

It is noteworthy that the head of the Kurdistan region Massoud Barzani, announced last June, the determination of the twenty-fifth of this September, a date for the referendum on the independence of Kurdistan, which provoked different reactions at the Iraqi and international levels .

is over

[yota691]

The Kurdistan Referendum Council is considering responding to the international proposal tomorrow

 

 Since 2017-09-17 at 10:28 (Baghdad time)

 

Baghdad Mawazine News

The Supreme Council for the referendum of the Kurdistan region, scheduled for Monday, a meeting to respond to an international proposal as an alternative solution to hold the referendum .

On Thursday, the United States' special representative to the United States, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq Kofi Annan, British war in Iraq .

"The council will meet tomorrow (Monday) to respond to the alternative proposal for a referendum in the Kurdistan region," said Saadi Ahmed Bireh, a member of the political bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and member of the Supreme Council of the referendum .

French media reported on Saturday the proposal of UN envoy Jan Kubic to resolve the crisis between Baghdad and Arbil to abandon the referendum scheduled for September 25 .

The document published by Agence France-Presse, the document presented by Kubic to Barzani last Thursday, which calls for the start of negotiations, "organized and urgent and intensive" without any preconditions to resolve the problems and arrangements that will determine the nature of future relations between Baghdad and Erbil .

The document identified 3 years as a higher ceiling for negotiations, and can be requested from the United Nations to provide assistance at all stages of negotiations, in exchange for the decision of the Kurdistan Region not to hold the referendum .

The document also said that the Security Council would follow up the implementation of the agreement through regular reports by the UN Secretary-General .

For his part, Kubic said he expected a response from Barzani within days to the proposal and start negotiations and alternative to the referendum . Finished

[yota691]

Barzani: There are two steps ahead

September 16, 2017 6:26 PM   - The   number of readings: 1, 014 views

 

Iraqi Position Network
 

The head of the Kurdistan region, "Massoud Barzani," on Saturday, thanked the Parliament of the region for agreeing to hold the referendum on schedule, adding that there are two steps in front of us, the first persecution and the second independence.

"Barzani" in a public gathering in the city of Duhok on the evening of September 16, 2017 that "the decisions of the Iraqi parliament from now on will not include the Kurdistan region, because the Iraqi parliament, however, a chauvinist group," as he put it.

"Barzani," we Kurds do not threaten anyone and will not accept anyone to threaten us, adding that the language of the threat will not work. "

"The time has come to say enough for repression and tyranny," he said. "We will not receive any real alternative to the referendum until now, and we will go to say yes to the independence of Kurdistan."

Barzani stressed that the referendum will be held on time, calling on citizens to go on September 25 to the ballot boxes, adding that "the principle of federalism and partnership does not exist in Baghdad, and our people said his speech to go towards the referendum."

It is noteworthy that "Barzani," announced last June, the determination of the twenty-fifth of this September, a date for the referendum on the independence of Kurdistan, which has generated mixed reactions at the Iraqi and international levels.

 

[yota691]

Parliamentary poll: Kurdistan referendum adversely affected the work of Parliament

 

 Since 2017-09-17 at 13:03 (Baghdad time)

Special Mawazine News

The Legal Committee in the House of Representatives, on Sunday, that the referendum in Kurdistan had an impact on the delay of the adoption of several important laws, pointing out that the subject of the referendum came at a wrong time.

The MP for the Committee Hassan Tauran, in an interview with / Mawazin News, "it is hoped that the completion of the remaining laws during the remaining period of the life of parliament."

"Turan said that" the subject of the referendum of Kurdistan had an impact on the non-adoption of these laws, "pointing out that" instead of preoccupied with a war, the country has been introduced on the subject of the problems between the political blocs. "

He pointed out that "the timing of the referendum was wrong, and will negatively affect the process of legislative legislation in the future."

The Kurdistan Regional Government has set the 25 of this month as a date for the referendum, at a time when all mediators failed to try to push the region to reverse its decision on the referendum.

[yota691]

Maliki on the referendum: we will not allow the establishment of Israel again in northern Iraq

 

 Since 2017-09-17 at 15:43 (Baghdad time)

Baghdad - Mawazine News

Vice President of the Republic Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, Sunday, during a meeting with US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman, the need to cancel the referendum or postponed because it is unconstitutional, while pointing to the failure to allow the establishment of Israel again in northern Iraq.

A statement by the Office of the Vice President of the Republic, received / Mawazine News / copy, that "Maliki received in his official office today, the US ambassador to Iraq, Douglas Allen Silliman," adding that "the meeting discussed the latest political and security situation, In the Kurdistan region. "

Maliki said, according to the statement on "the need to cancel the holding of the referendum or postponed because it is unconstitutional and not in the interest of the Iraqi people in general and not for the benefit of the Kurds in particular," but said "we will not allow the establishment of Israel again in northern Iraq"

Maliki, who called for the referendum, warned of the "serious repercussions that will result from this measure on the security, sovereignty and unity of Iraq," calling for "to follow the language of serious dialogue to resolve all problems in accordance with the Constitution voted by all."

He called on the leaders of the region to "respect the desire of the Iraqi people rejecting the referendum as well as the positions of the international community that came in line with popular and national aspirations." 

   

[yota691]

Kurdish delegation headed to Baghdad within two days to discuss a number of files, most notably the referendum

The political scene  Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 16:40 pm (51 views)                                                                                   

Baghdad / Sky Press

The official of the working body of the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, "Mullah Bakhtiar," that a Kurdish delegation will go to Baghdad, on Tuesday, to discuss a number of outstanding issues between the federal government and the region.

"Bakhtiar," in a press statement, "Sky Press," that "there is a meeting of the Kurdish parties today with the Supreme Committee for the referendum to resolve a lot of things."

He added that "a Kurdish delegation will go to Baghdad next Tuesday, 19 September 2017, to discuss a number of files."

On the other hand, Mullah Bakhtiar stressed that the political bureau of the National Union and the leadership to take a decision and statement of their position on the list announced by the Second Deputy Secretary-General of the party.

The Kurdish delegation visited Baghdad last month, where they discussed the referendum scheduled for September 25, and met with the three presidencies (the Republic Fuad Masum, the ministers Haider Abadi and the Parliament of Salim al-Jubouri), in addition to the meeting of a number of ambassadors.

[tigergorzow]

Allawi urges media outlets to alleviate crisis with Erbil

September 17 2017 02:56 PM

The National Coalition led by Iyad Allawi, Vice President of Iraq, has called media outlets to contr

 

The National Coalition led by Ayad Allawi, Vice President of Iraq, on Sunday called on media outlets to contribute to national stability and keep away from highlighting the voices of "drums of war" between Baghdad and Erbil.

In a statement, MP Kazem al-Shammari, head of the parliamentary bloc of the coalition said that attempts are going on to heal the rift and to find a solution to the crisis.

Al-Shammari added that Allawi had recently held meetings with political leaders at home as well as with some Arab leaders and discussed the need to calm the situation.

Al-Shammari explained that "Allawi's efforts are still continuing in an attempt to find solutions through dialogue.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/17045/Allawi-urges-media-outlets-to-alleviate-crisis-with-Erbil

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi FM calls on Kurds to abandon "Greater Kurdistan" dream

September 17 2017 02:36 PM

Iraqi FM slams Kurdistan independence referendum

 

 

Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim al-Jaafari, on Sunday, said that Kurdistan referendum harms the principles of Iraq, its unity and territorial integrity.

In an interview with the Egyptian TV outlet "ON Live", Jaafari added that Egypt has a major role in maintaining the unity of Iraq and the cohesion of its territory as the largest Arab country.

 

He pointed out that the Kurds have a dream to establish a "Greater Kurdistan" in five countries including Iraq, noting that they have to abandon that dream.

On Saturday, Iraqi President Fuad Masum issued a statement announcing the launch of an initiative for dialogue among political leaders to find a solution to the crisis caused by the referendum in the Kurdistan region.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/17044/Iraqi-FM-calls-on-Kurds-to-abandon-Greater-Kurdistan-dream

[tigergorzow]

Video: rallies in Duhok in support of referendum, Barzani

September 17 2017 02:34 PM

Video: rallies in Duhok in support of referendum, Barzani

 

 

Thousands of Kurds rallied in Duhok Stadium in Kurdistan to support the Region's independence referendum and Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani, as shown in a video obtained by The Baghdad Post on Sunday.

 

 

 

Kurdistan will hold an independence on 25th of September that will include Kirkuk governorate.

 

Earlier, Iraqi President Fuad Masum said that he decided  to cancel his visit to the UN's meeting, after he launched talk initiative between Baghdad and Erbil, ahead of the upcoming referendum of Kurdistan.

Masum said that under the initiative, political parties’ leaders are invited to hold intensive meetings to reach tangible and urgent solutions to overcome this crisis.  

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/17043/Video-rallies-in-Duhok-in-support-of-referendum-Barzani

Edited September 17, 2017 by tigergorzow

[tigergorzow]

Peshmerga: Kurdistan to include disputed zones in referendum

September 17 2017 02:16 PM

Kurdistan to include disputed zones in referendum

Kurdistan leadership will not back down from carrying the independence referendum, Peshmerga's 70th division commander Sheikh Ja'afar Mostapha said on Sunday.

Ja'afar asserted that Peshmerga forces will maintain its forces in all the disputed areas outside of Kurdistan.

He added that Peshmerga's sacrifices to Iraq are more valuable to what Kurdistan demands from Baghdad's government, noting that Kurdistan state will be formed eventually.

He also called for unity among Kurdistan leaders and political factions to achieve the region's independence.

This comes as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the state of emergency in Kirkuk governorate and appointed General Nasser al-Ghanam as its new military governor.

Kurdistan will hold this referendum on 25th of September after its parliament approved it.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/17041/Peshmerga-Kurdistan-to-include-disputed-zones-in-referendum

[jcfrag]

2 hours ago, yota691 said:

The time has come to say enough for repression and tyranny," he said. "We will not receive any real alternative to the referendum until now, and we will go to say yes to the independence of Kurdistan."

Tyranny????  Repression????  And I'll have what Barzani and any Kurd  that believes that line of BS is drinking. Maliki is no longer in charge. Hussein was dealt with. Laws are being put in place to stop the corruption and abuse.... OH WAIT!! That's right! ITS THOSE PESKY LAWS BEING ADOPTED AND PUT INTO PLACE ENDING CORRUPTION AND ABUSE Barzani is trying to avoid!!! B is going to begging for financial help after the fact thinking the world will help them like they helped Iraq and the Kurds before, only to find that the world will know Abadi was trying to end corruption and Barzani has now cornered the market on it.... no body will help he who led his country down the same path as Venezuela. No parliment, no democracy, just a bunch Bar Zanies running the country a muck. Only reason they are now settling with the companies they owed money to, they are going to need their options open......

 

😄

Edited September 17, 2017 by jcfrag

[nor]

i love what barzani do right now .. i hope abadi please implement reform economic. Show that your power... everyone hates delay things 

[tigergorzow]

Barzani to preside IHERC meeting to consider UN proposal on referendum

September 17 2017 01:47 PM

Masoud Barzani

Kurdistan Region’s President Masoud Barzani will preside an expanded meeting of the Independent High Electoral and Referendum Commission (IHERC) on Sunday noon to discuss a UN proposal to postpone the region’s independence referendum in return for guarantees, Romeo Hakkari, a member of IHERC, revealed Sunday.  

Hakkari said that during the meeting the proposal will be seriously considered, adding that its outcomes will be announced shortly afterwards.    

Kurdistan leadership is not convinced of postponing the region’s independence referendum and it will proceed with holding it on time, he noted. 

He also expected that developments would occur in the coming days. 

On Saturday, Barzani asserted that he will not allow any western official to stop the upcoming independence referendum.

He added that it's too late to speak about any alternatives for Kurdistan's referendum, noting that most Kurds are with seceding from Iraq.

Kurdistan region's parliament approved on Friday a plan to hold a Sept. 25 referendum on independence, ignoring Iraqi, Iranian and Turkish opposition as well as US and Western concern that the vote could cause new conflicts in the region.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/17039/Barzani-to-preside-IHERC-meeting-to-consider-UN-proposal-on-referendum

[tigergorzow]

Saudi Arabia offers of mediation between Erbil, Baghdad

September 17 2017 10:23 AM

Saudi Arabia offers of mediation between Erbil, Baghdad

 

 

Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani met Saturday with Saudi Minister of State for Gulf Affairs Thamer al-Sabhan, Alarabiya News reported Sunday.

Sabhan offered Saudi mediation between Erbil and Baghdad.

Tensions between both sides have recently erupted in the wake of an upcoming referendum on independence announced by the Kurdish leadership.

Sabhan, the former Saudi’s ambassador to Iraq, also conveyed greetings from Saudi’s King Salman to the role of the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces and Kurdish people, a Kurdish statement said.

Barzani said Erbil has not closed the door of dialogue on anyone and, on behalf of the people of the Kurdistan Region, thanked the stance and consideration of King Salman.

Barzani emphasized the significance of the historical relations between Erbil and Riyadh.

Last week, Barzani vowed to press ahead with a referendum on Kurdish independence on Sept. 25 despite a vote by Iraq’s parliament to reject the move.

Earlier the parliament in Baghdad authorized the prime minister to “take all measures” to preserve Iraq’s unity. Kurdish lawmakers walked out of the session before the vote and issued statements rejecting the decision.

Western powers fear a plebiscite in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region - including the oil-rich city of Kirkuk - could ignite conflict with the central government in Baghdad and divert attention from the war against ISIS militants.

Iraq’s neighbors - Turkey, Iran, and Syria - also oppose the referendum, fearing it could fan separatism among their own ethnic Kurdish populations.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/17026/Saudi-Arabia-offers-of-mediation-between-Erbil-Baghdad