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

[nannab]

 I think this is actually a very sad day for Iraq and especially for the Kurdish people. And

they don't even know it? 

[ComPLX]

Very good insight on the whole situation

 

 

[blueskyline]

 

 

• Middle East 
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Iraqi Kurds vote in referendum on independence from Baghdad

 

15 minutes ago

 https://apnews.com/cfca314fc77548a981a2fa936ad1307d

Link copied!

 

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — Polls have opened in Iraq’s Kurdish-run provinces and disputed territories as Iraqi Kurds cast ballots in support for independence from Baghdad in a historic but non-binding vote.

Millions are expected to vote on Monday across the three provinces that make up the Kurdish autonomous region, as well as residents in disputed territories — areas claimed by both Baghdad and the Kurds, including the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

The vote is being carried out despite mounting regional opposition to the move. The United States has warned the vote will likely destabilize the region amid the fight with the Islamic State group.

Baghdad has also come out strongly against the referendum, demanding on Sunday that all airports and borders crossings in the Kurdish region be handed back to federal government control.

[yota691]

 

Kurdish deputy: Maliki is responsible for the loss of Iraq and the separation of Kurdistan 13:00 Last updated 01:16 PM 338 Watch      BAGHDAD / The  deputy leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and member of the parliamentary legal committee Zana Said said on Monday that "Vice-President of the Republic of Nuri al-Maliki is the primary responsible for what arrived in Iraq. Said said in a statement that "Vice President Nuri al-Maliki, the first official for the waste of Iraq's money and the country reached the destruction and loss of its cities, pointing out that it is the reason for the secession of Kurdistan."  It is noteworthy that the region is today to go to the polls for the process of voting and voting on the secession of the region amid the local, international and regional rejection and tight security.

[yota691]

Deputy holds al-Maliki responsibility for the secession of Kurdistan

 

 Since 2017-09-25 at 13:29 (Baghdad time)

Baghdad - Mawazine News

MP from the Kurdistan Alliance Zana Said, Monday, Vice President Nuri al-Maliki responsibility for the secession of the Kurdistan region.

Said said in a brief statement received / Mawazin News / a copy, that "Maliki is the primary responsible for what Iraq has reached from the waste of its funds and the loss of cities and finally the separation of Kurdistan."

Maliki stressed the unconstitutionality of the referendum because it is a clear targeting of the unity of the country, a step that will have serious consequences for the future of Iraq in general and Kurdistan in particular, considering this action as a declaration of war on the unity of the Iraqi people, while called for taking all necessary measures to end these practices By stopping dialogue with the advocates of the referendum and imposing a comprehensive boycott

[yota691]

Turkey: border ports, airports and oil pipelines in Kurdistan will be under the control of Baghdad

 

Turkish Prime Minister Ali Yildirim

Turkey: border ports, airports and oil pipelines in Kurdistan will be under the control of Baghdad

Views 903   Date Added 25/09/2017

[Butifldrm]

 

Kurdistan

Voting begins in historic Kurdistan independence referendum

By Rudaw 28 minutes ago

Voting will begin at 8 a.m. local Erbil time and is expected to continue until 6 p.m. File photo: Rudaw/Sartip Othman

1:28 p.m.

Group of British observers meet Kirkuk Governor

British MP Nadim al-Zahawi led a delegation from the United Kingdom to meet with Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim on Monday.

Zahawi is the first Kurdish member of British parliament. Photo: Marwan Ibrahim | AFP

People in diverse Kirkuk province are eligible to participate in the Kurdistan Region's independence referendum. Kurdish leaders have explicitly said the referendum isn't to withdraw borders.

 

Zahawi revealed the observing delegation includes six MPs and academics. Photo: Marwan Ibrahim | AFP

Karim has also said that he is open to a second referendum for Kirkuk because of its "special status." Kirkuk is a Kurdistani or disputed territory claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad. Kurdish Peshmerga and security forces provide security in the oil-rich city.

 

 

1:10 p.m. 

 

PM Barzani: Turkey has no better friends in the region than Kurdistan
 
Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani has said that Erbil has never been a threat to Turkey, and will remain to not be so, adding that Ankara should also understand that they have no better friends in the region than the Kurdistan Region.
 
Speaking at a press conference only minutes after he cast his vote in the historic Kurdish independence referendum in Erbil, something opposed by Turkey, PM Barzani told reporters that Turkey, and others should see the vote for what it is — an expression of the will of the people exclusive for the Iraqi Kurdistan.
 
“We are not and will not threaten Turkey’s national security, and neither will we intervene in the Turkish affairs, not today, and neither in the future. We want to be a good neighbor,” Barzani said.

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12:13 p.m.

 

Gorran leader votes for Kurdish independence

 

Omer Saed Ali, the leader of the Change Movement (Gorran) voted for the independence of Kurdistan on Monday.

"Yes, we voted 'Yes'," Ali told reporters after he voted.

 

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12:05 p.m.

 

PM Barzani: We only want to show the will of our people to the world

The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government delivered remarks after voting in Monday's independence referendum.

“Today is a historic day. Our message on this day is: The people of Kurdistan with all of its components who live here want to peacefully and democratically express their opinion about their future, and how it should look like," said PM Nechirvan Barzani. 

He reiterated that independence is a process and it will not be declared tomorrow.

"What we see today in the Kurdistan Region, as part of the voting process for independence referendum, is not to declare the independence of Kurdistan the following day," said the PM.

The central government in believes the vote to be "unconstitutional" and regional countries have said it threatens the unity of Iraq.

"It is not to draw the borders of Kurdistan through this referendum either," Barzani retorted. "These two issues are of great importance for our neighbours and Baghdad to understand. We only want to show the will of our people to the world — that we want to walk towards independence through a serious process and democratic negotiation with Baghdad," Barzani said.

Erbil has maintained that the current arrangement that they committed to with Baghdad is not working.

"It has been some years, more than 20 years, that we have proved to our neighboring countries and to Baghdad, too, that we are a factor for peace and stability in the region, and we certainly remain so, as a factor for stability and security in the region — with our neighbours and with Baghdad, too," Barzani explained.

 

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11:20 a.m.

 

Kurdish PM Nechirvan Barzani casts independence ballot

 

Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Nechirvan Barzani and his family voted for Kurdistan's independence in Erbil on Monday morning.

 

 

 

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Rudaw English 

 

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KRG's PM Nechirvan Barzani and his family cast their votes in the capital Erbil, pose for a family photo #Kurdishreferendum

3:17 AM - Sep 25, 2017

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PM Barzani believes Kurdistan will remain a stabilizing factor in the region.
 

 

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Prime Minister Barzani after voting for #KurdistanIndependence: We will remain a stability factor for our neighboring countries and Baghdad

3:22 AM - Sep 25, 2017

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President Barzani, who voted earlier, also tweeted that he was proud to partake in this "historic day."

 

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Masoud Barzani 

 

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Proud to cast my vote earlier this morning and partake in this historic day, the day of the #KurdistanReferendum

3:22 AM - Sep 25, 2017

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11:13 a.m.

 

Rojava: We help the Kurdistan Region if attacked

Hadiye Yusuf, the co-chair of the mainly Kurdish founding council in Northern Syria or Rojava, has said that the Simalke border crossing with the Kurdistan Region and other such crosses will remain open.

She said on Sunday the Kurdistan Region can depend on Rojava if it was attacked or a blockade imposed.

Yusuf added that “the Turkish policy will fail,” making reference to threats from Kurdistan's northern neighbor that threatened with sanctions if referendum held.

Rojava administration held its first local elections on Friday they announced a confederal system in Syria.

Turkey opposes the Rojava self-administration as it considers the Kurdish fighters there to be allied to the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), a banned organization in Turkey. Rojava denies the accusations.

 

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10:51 a.m. 

 

Veteran Peshmerga: My 47-year struggle for independence bears fruit
 
Mahmud Sangawi, a Peshmerga commander from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), told Rudaw minutes after casting his vote in the independence referendum on Monday that a decades-long dream of his party for self-determination had at last come true.

Sangawi is the commander of the Garmian region and he has been commanding some of the southern front lines against ISIS including the Khanaqin city. He said that they reassure the people that the area is safe, thanks to the Kurdish Peshmerga. 

"The front lines are safe. I used to say: leave the war to us, and the ballot box to people. But I am now saying that the front line and the ballot box are for us, too. I am proud that I was the first one to vote for the independence of my people, and for the souls of my fellow martyred comrades. I just added yet another bright piece to my 47-years long of struggle." 

 

 

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10:33 a.m.

 

KIU leader votes in independence referendum

Head of Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) Salahaddin Bahadin has cast his ballot in the Region's independence referendum. 

 

 

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10:30 a.m.

VP Rasul calls on Kurdistan, Kirkuk to vote in favor

Kosrat Rasul, encouraged people in the Kurdistan Region including Kirkuk cast ballots for independence.

"I am calling upon the people of Kurdistan and Kirkuk to go to vote 'Yes' for the independence of Kurdistan," said Kosrat Rasul, vice president of the Kurdistan Region.

 

 

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10:10 a.m.

 

Turkey: Borders have not been closed with Kurdistan Region

Turkey's Customs and Trade minister has said borders have not been closed with the Kurdistan Region.

Rudaw reported normal movement of goods and people at the Ibrahim Khalil-border crossing gate.

Turkish customs minister Bülent Tüfenkci said the Habur border gate with northern Iraq was not closed, tight controls imposed on traffic, reported Hurriyet Daily News.

 

 

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10:05 a.m.

 

Many come to the polls in Kalar, just north of Khanaqin 

As the doors at polling stations were opened at 8 a.m., large numbers of people headed to the ballots in the Garmiyan bloc's city of Kalar to vote in the independence referendum. Kalar is north of Khanaqin and near the border with Iran.
 

 

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9:48 a.m.

 

Deputy PM Talabani calls today ‘first phase’ of long-term process

"I congratulate the people of the Kurdistan Region. I congratulate the honorable families of the Peshmerga martyrs. I congratulate the brave Peshmerga. Today is a historical day," said Qubad Talabani, deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) after he voted at a polling station in Sulaimani.

He described today's voting as just the start of this Kurdish struggle. 

"It is the beginning of a struggle today in which we hope after a talking process with Iraq, with our neighbors, friends and rivals, be able to reach our nation's  objectives, be able to fulfill the dream grew with us since childhood," he said. "Today marks the first phase in a long-term process. A process its result will come out after many discussions.” 

He said the Kurdistan Region's referendum does not have to be viewed as a threat to any of the neighboring countries.

“We just ask our nation a question; do you want to live in an independent state and today our nation will be answering that question. It is not that we are declaring independence tomorrow,” added Talabani.

He said the neighbors of the Kurdistan Region already know the answer of today's referendum vote. 

"Therefore, we are calling upon our neighbors our friends and the Iraqi government to talk to us and understand our intentions, understand our programs as we will not do something which surprises anyone," he urged.

 

 

Qubad Talabani, the deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Region, speaks to reporters in Sulaimani after casting a ballot on independence on September 25, 2017. Photo: Rudaw TV

 

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9:44 a.m.

 

Arabs on western border with Syria head to the polls

 

Arabs in the border town of Rabia say their fate is tied this, the Kurdistan Region's independence referendum. 

 

“We are in debt to the Kurdistan Region. And the second thing is that we want to determine our fate and the fate of our future generations. We have had relations with the Kurds since the previous generations, and we have strong relations with them,” an Arab voter told Rudaw in Rabia, near the Syrian border. 

 

 

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9:20 a.m. 

Kurdistan Region closes borders

As typical on voting days, Kurdistan Region has closed its borders until the end of the independence referendum. Rudaw's reporter says a border crossing with Iran, Parwezkhan, remains open.

Live: People cast their votes on Kurdistan independence referendum

 

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8:45 a.m.

Governor Najmaldin Karim casts ballot in Kirkuk

"Today, like any other citizen in Kirkuk, I have come to vote in order for the Kurdistan independence's process begin," said Najmaldin Karim, the Kirkuk governor.

Karim urged people across the Kirkuk province, including all groups living in the diverse city to head to the ballots and vote for an independent Kurdistan. 

 

Asked how would he assess the Arab and Turkmen's involvement in the referendum voting, Karim said "everybody's participation is important today. The city is theirs, too... We all live together here."

"Taking part in this [process] will bring about a beautiful and bright future for all the components," he added. 

 

Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim votes in the Kurdistan Region's independence referendum on September 25, 2017. Photo: Rudaw TV

 

The people of Kirkuk welcomed the opening of the ballot stations with Kurdistan's traditional Dahol u Zurna [drum and trumpet] music.

 

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8:38 a.m.

President Barzani casts vote for Kurdish independence

Masoud Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Region, voted at around 8:30 a.m. in Erbil.

 

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Makhmour polls open peacefully

 

People jubilantly head to the polling stations in the town of Makhmour, once briefly held by ISIS. Voters urge the people of the town to go to the ballots and vote.

"In the historical Kurdish peaceful movement, today marks the most important day because those who shed blood for today will rest," a voter in queue at a Makhmour polling station told Rudaw.

An older man said he would never forget the 20-year-long imprisonment he endured at the hands of Iraq’s former Baathist regime.

"How could I forget those? Today I am here to vote wholeheartedly," he said 

He urged all people living in Makhmour to head to the ballots and fill them before noon.

 

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8:15 a.m.

 

Voting begins in historic Kurdistan independence referendum

 

8 a.m. 

 

Voting has begun across the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdistani or disputed areas at 8:00 a.m., local Erbil time.

People across the region have queued in long lines outside polling stations to cast their vote.

The polls are to close at 6 p.m. 

 

Video: People queue to cast their vote in Duhok on Monday, September 25, 2017. 

----

 

7:35 a.m.

 

Kurdistan votes in historic independence referendum

 

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – People in the Kurdistan Region are heading to the polls this morning in a referendum that would allow them to decide whether they want to stay with Iraq or separate and form an independent state in a Yes or No vote.

 

Voting started for the Kurdish diaspora on September 23 and will continue throughout today. Results so far show that close to 98 percent of Kurdistanis living abroad have voted Yes.

 

Campaigning ended on Friday without any major political party voicing opposition to the process.

 

The election commission that oversees the process has said that they are expecting initial results to come out within 24 hours after the polls close at 6:00 p.m. local Erbil time. 

 

Kurdish President Masoud Barzani said on Friday that the voters can to choose between subordination or freedom.

 

The Kurdish people faced a genocide campaign under the former Iraqi regime such as the infamous Anfal campaign that killed 182,000 people and the Halabja chemical attack, the largest chemical attack ever carried out against a civilian population in history. It killed 5,000 people. 

 

Barzani told reporters and world media in a press conference on on Sunday that the referendum was the legitimate right of the people of Kurdistan, wondering why any democratic country should oppose the free expression of a nation’s will.

 

He said that years of efforts to be equal partners with Iraq had failed and that Iraq’s sectarian nature didn’t welcome the Kurds.

 

A sample of the ballot paper. The question being posed in Kurdish, Turkmen, Arabic and Assyrian languages is: Do you want the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdistani areas outside the administration of the Region to become an independent state?  Voters can choose ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Photo: AFP/Safin Hamed

 

The central government of Iraq has called the vote unconstitutional, unilateral and that it will not recognize the results. Kurdistan’s neighbour’s neighbors, Iran and Turkey have opposed the vote, too.

 

Further away, the United Nations, and the United States, among others, have also expressed their opposition, mainly citing fears that that it may have a negative impact on the war against ISIS and destabilize the region.

 

President Barzani reassured all on Friday that the focus will remain on the war against ISIS and that the Kurds will continue to cooperate militarily with the Iraqis and coalition forces. 

 

Kurdish leaders have long accused the Iraqi government of violating about one third of the Iraqi constitution, including Article 140 that had to determine the fate of the Kurdistani or disputed areas by 2007 such as the oil-rich and multi-ethnic province of Kirkuk. 

 

Kirkuk’s provincial council decided that the city will take part in today’s vote.

 

Sheikh Jaafar, a high-ranking Peshmerga official told Rudaw that the security forces, including the Peshmerga are all on duty in Kirkuk to ensure a smooth process.

 

Video: a voting station in Kirkuk on Monday morning, September 25, 2017. 

 

Kurdistan's independence referendum explained

 

Historical context

 

More than five million people are eligible to vote when the people of Kurdistan head to the polls on Monday, September 25, to decide whether they want to leave or stay with Iraq.

 

With an estimated global population of between 30 and 40 million, the Kurds are one of the largest ethnic groups without a state. Under the post-WWI Sykes-Picot agreement of 1916, Kurdish lands were divided between Turkey, Iraq, and Syria,

 

Kurds in all four parts of what is known as Greater Kurdistan have faced persecution, discrimination, and genocide, and have fought at times for greater rights, autonomy, and independence. 

 

In Iraq, Kurds make up 17 to 20 percent of the total population. In the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq, Kurds have had a semi-autonomous government since a no-fly zone was established over their lands in 1991 after the first Gulf War.

 

The new Iraqi constitution that came into effect in 2005, after the US-led invasion of 2003, recognized the Kurdistan Region as a federal region with its own legislature and armed forces, the Peshmerga. Both Erbil and Baghdad have accused the other of violating the constitution. 

 

The September 25 referendum will take place in Kurdistan of Iraq only, not neighbouring countries.

 

High Referendum Council

 

The High Referendum Council consists of representatives from the majority of the Kurdistan Region’s political parties. It is chaired by Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani.

 

On June 7, the council set the referendum date of September 25.

 

Fourteen of Kurdistan’s political party attended the June 7 meeting, including three of the five members who formed a coalition government: Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU).

 

Gorran and the Kurdistan Islamic Group (Komal), the remaining two members of the coalition government, oppose the party-led drive for the vote, instead called  for the regional legislature to convene in order to give the referendum a parliamentary mandate. They however boycotted the parliament session that backed the vote. 

 

Question

 

The question being posed in Kurdish, Turkmen, Arabic and Assyrian languages is: Do you want the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdistani areas outside the administration of the Region to become an independent state?

 

Voters can choose ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

 

Kurdistan Region and Kurdistani areas (voters)

 

A total 5,338,000 people are eligible to vote in the referendum.

 

The vote will be held in the four provinces of the Kurdistan Region: Duhok, Erbil, Sulaimani, and Halabja. A total of 3,280,462 people are eligible to vote from these four provinces according to the following breakdown: 

 

Erbil: 1,118,775 voters with 498 polling stations

Sulaimani: 1,299,820 voters with 476 polling stations

Duhok: 771,867 voters with 264 polling stations

Halabja: 90,000 voters with 27 polling stations

 

Kurdistani areas, the disputed zones claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil, are also able to vote if the local authorities opt to participate. A potential 1,907,538 of people are eligible to vote in the Kurdistani areas according to the following breakdown:

 

Kirkuk: 889,373 voters with 244 polling stations

Diyala province: 800,000 voters with 244 polling stations

Kurdistani areas of Nineveh province: 218,165 voters with 244 polling stations

 

Eligible Kurds in the diaspora are able to vote online. E-voting will is open from September 23 to 25. An estimated 150,000 eligible Kurds live in the diaspora.

 

*figures provided by Kurdistan’s Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission

 

People wave Kurdish flag in Paris, France as the nation was preparing itself to vote in the histroic referendum. There are an estimated 150,000 eligible voters abroad. Photo: AFP / Zakaria Abdelkafi.

 

‘Yes’ vote

 

The slogan for the ‘Yes’ vote campaign is Bale bo serbexor, meaning ‘yes for independence.’

 

The campaign is being led by a media coordination center that is under the authority of the High Referendum Council. 

 

All political parties in the Kurdistan Region except for Gorran support the ‘yes’ vote. Gorran is not advocating a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ vote, but states that the timing is not right to hold the referendum. 

 

‘No’ vote

 

The main ‘No’ vote campaign is led by the No for Now movement, formed by NRT media outlet owner Shaswar Qadir to rally voters against supporting the September 25 vote. They argue that now is not the time for Kurds to make a bid for independence.

 

No political party has officially advocated for a ‘No’ vote.

 

Reaction to the vote

 

Baghdad

The Iraqi government officially opposes the referendum, deeming it unconstitutional and therefore illegal. The Iraqi parliament has voted to reject the referendum and the Supreme Court has issued an interim ruling to suspend the vote.

 

Regional nations

 

Iran and Turkey are both opposed to the referendum. 

 

Tehran has said it supports Iraq’s territorial integrity and has encouraged dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad. The country’s Supreme National Security Council has said it would withdraw its representation to the Kurdistan Region and close its borders if the referendum proceeds as planned. Tehran is of the view that relations it developed with Erbil were predicated on Kurdistan Region being a part of Iraq. If Kurdistan separates, it will deem all relations with Erbil, including border traffic, to be null and void. 

 

Ankara has vocally opposed the referendum, hinting at possible sanctions against the Kurdistan Region. Turkey’s Security Council, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated the referendum is a threat to its national security. Turkey particularly objects to the inclusion of Kurdistani regions in the vote as these include areas inhabited by the Turkmen minority. 

 

International

Most nations, led by the United States, have asked Kurdistan to postpone the vote until at least after the Iraqi elections due to be held in 2018. The US and others worry the referendum may distract from the war against terrorism, specifically ISIS, and may lead to further destabilization in Iraq. They have encouraged dialogue between Kurdistan and Iraq. 

 

The United Nations opposes the timing of the vote. The Secretary-General and the Security Council have expressed concern about the referendum being a distraction from the war with ISIS and an impediment to reconstruction of war-torn areas in order to allow internally displaced Iraqis to return home. The UN urges dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil.

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come out in support of the vote. 

 

Key dates

 

June 7, 2017 - The High Referendum Council announces the September 25 date.

 

August 13, 2017 - A multi-party delegation tasked by the High Referendum Council arrives in Baghdad for several days of meetings with Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, and foreign representatives in the Iraqi capital.

 

August 22, 2017 - US Secretary of Defense James Mattis visits the Kurdistan leadership in Erbil, requesting postponement of the referendum.

 

September 12, 2017 - The Iraqi parliament votes to reject the Kurdistan independence referendum

 

September 14, 2017 - The Iraqi parliament votes to remove Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim from his post. Karim has been a vocal supporter of the referendum and of holding the vote in the disputed province of Kirkuk. He has refused to abide by the parliament decision, arguing Baghdad does not have the legal authority to remove him

 

September 14, 2017 - The US, UK, and UN present a joint proposal for Kurdistan to postpone the referendum while offering to aid negotiations with Baghdad. The proposal was rejected by the High Referendum Council.

 

September 15, 2017 - The Kurdistan Region parliament votes to approve holding the referendum on September 25 and upholds the decisions made by the High Referendum Council. Sixty-five of 68 MPs in attendance in the 111-seat chamber vote in favour. Gorran and Komal boycott the session.

 

September 18, 2017 - Iraq’s Supreme Court issues an interim ruling suspending the referendum.

 

September 23, 2017 - A multi-party delegation tasked by the High Referendum Council visits Baghdad again. No progress is made in talks. 

 

September 24, 2017 - Iran closes its air connections with Kurdistan, cancelling all flights at the request of Baghdad.

 

September 24, 2017 - The Iraqi government demanded Kurdistan hand over control of all borders, including airports, to federal authorities and for all nations to deal exclusively with Baghdad in the movement of people and goods across the borders, including oil. 

 

http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/25092017

[Butifldrm]

APPEC: Iraq may sue KRG over oil exports pending independence referendum: official

 

Singapore (Platts)--25 Sep 2017 507 am EDT/907 GMT

 

 

Iraq's federal government may sue the Kurdistan Regional Government to block its crude exports "as soon as today," a senior oil ministry official told S&P Global Platts on Monday, pending the results of the semi-autonomous region's independence referendum.

Dheyaa Jaafar Hajam al-Musawi, minister councilor for energy affairs at the Iraqi oil ministry, said negotiations, both "public and hidden," were continuing between the federal government and the KRG, but that if the referendum passes today, as expected, a legal battle over the oil province of Kirkuk may follow.

"The conflict would be about Kirkuk, and we hope that will be solved smoothly," he told Platts on the sidelines of the APPEC conference in Singapore. "We hope that Iraq will stay one Iraq."

Over the years, officials in Baghdad have encouraged the KRG to either participate within a federal Iraq or to exit, but oil-rich disputed territories including Kirkuk remain an unresolved flashpoint that is likely scuttle any negotiated separation.
 

Article continues below...

 

 

 

 

33rd Annual Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference (APPEC 2017) September 25 to 27, 2017 | Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore

As the most prestigious event in the Asia Pacific oil and gas industry calendar, APPEC 2017 delivers three days of market-driven discussions from industry powerhouses, mixed with exclusive networking opportunities to ensure global participants are guaranteed with the highest quality, up-to-the-minute market intelligence and new business opportunities.   VIEW EVENT PAGE

 

 

 

Baghdad has said the referendum, which is non-binding, is unconstitutional, and the international community has largely urged the KRG to call it off.

The referendum is expected to pass, providing the KRG with public backing to launch negotiations with Baghdad for secession.

As for crude exports, the Iraqi government says only the federal government has the right to export oil, while the KRG claims the country is decentralized and authority over oil along with it.

"Only through independence we can secure our future," the KRG's acting president, Masoud Barzani, said in a news conference on Sunday, according to reports.

Most revenue sharing between the federal government and the KRG ended after the KRG began independent oil exports in 2014.

Baghdad in July of that year sued the KRG in a US District Court in Texas to block the unloading of a 1 million barrel cargo that the KRG sent in the United Kalavryta tanker to Galveston.

The KRG five months later redirected the tanker to offload in Israel, where Baghdad has no diplomatic relations, after the district court rejected the KRG's attempt to have the case dismissed.

More recently, in July, Iraqi officials threatened similar legal action against a cargo loaded by the KRG onto the tanker Neverland that appeared off the coast of Canada, before turning off its transponder and reappearing near Malta.

 

--Herman Wang, herman.wang@spglobal.com
--Takeo Kumagai, takeo.kumagai@spglobal.com
--Edited by Alisdair Bowles, alisdair.bowles@spglobal.com

 

https://www.platts.com/latest-news/oil/singapore/appec-iraq-may-sue-krg-over-oil-exports-pending-27874544

[yota691]

Maliki's continues to escalate and calls Baghdad and neighboring countries to "comprehensive boycott" of Kurdistan

Twilight News    

 

 one hour ago

 

 

The Vice President and leader of a coalition of state law Nuri al-Maliki on Monday the escalation against the referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan Region, considering it as a "declaration of war on the unity of the Iraqi people," calling on the Iraqi government and neighboring countries to impose a comprehensive boycott on the region. 

"All confirm the unconstitutionality of the referendum because it is clear that it is aimed at the unity of the country, a step that will have serious consequences for the future of Iraq in general and Kurdistan in particular," Maliki said during an anti-referendum rally in Baghdad, calling on the government to take all necessary measures to end these practices. Illegal, by stopping the dialogue with the advocates of the referendum and impose a comprehensive boycott. " 

He added that "the positions of many neighboring countries of Iraq have been firm and clear in light of this illegal practice," and called on those countries to "boycott the Kurdistan region politically, economically and security and not deal with it "He said. 

Maliki accused the President of the Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani, supporting the organization calling in the fall of the provinces of Mosul and Salahuddin.

He called on the government to "protect the people of Kirkuk province and the disputed areas of Arabs, Turkmen, Christians, Shabak, Sabeis and Wazidis."

"The attack on these components is an attack on all of Iraq.

[Butifldrm]

• Policy

Al-Fatawi submitted to Abadi a proposal of 10 paragraphs to respond to the referendum

September 25, 2017

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The president of the Irada movement, MP Hanan al-Fatlawi, on Monday, proposed a punishment of 10 paragraphs to the Prime Minister Haider Abadi, in response to the referendum.

 

"After the dictator Barzani, with his ominous resignation, ignored all the letters of reason addressed to him by many parties and after the international community rejected his adolescent childish steps, it is now necessary for the Iraqi government to take the next steps to preserve," she said in a statement. The dignity of Iraq and the application of the law to a rebellious part of the state. "

 

"The closure of any port with the Kurdistan region and in all provinces of the seam, and the entry or exit of any goods of any kind were from and to the region."

 

Al-Fatlawi called for "the demobilization of all Kurdish officials, officials and ambassadors from the region's residents and employees of the federal government and starting from the President of the Republic, in addition to stopping all financial support to the Kurdistan region and all kinds of defense, fuel, electricity or other."

 

She called on the Fattalawi to "stop the issuance of Iraqi passports to the people of the region, and lifting the Kurdish language of all documents and official communications."

 

"The closure of the Iraqi airspace for any flight means Kurdistan and address the international aviation authorities, and stop the work of mobile networks operating in the region and using the approvals of Iraqi federal."

"The demobilization of all officers and pilots Kurdish residents of the region because they have become a threat to national security, and stop the work of all branches of Iraqi banks in the region and the withdrawal of capital."

 

http://www.knoozmedia.com/260625/الفتلاوي-تقدم-للعبادي-مقترحاً-من-10-فقر/

[yota691]

Maliki: Kurdistan referendum a declaration of war

Release Date: 2017/9/25 14:50 • 10 times read

[Ayna - Baghdad] 
Vice President of the Republic, Mr. Nuri Kamal al - Maliki, his refusal to exercise the referendum held today in the Kurdistan region, considering this action a declaration of war on the unity of the Iraqi people.

 "All confirm the unconstitutionality of the referendum because it is clear that it is aimed at the unity of the country, a step that will have serious consequences for the future of Iraq in general and Kurdistan in particular," Maliki said in a speech to him during a mass rally against the referendum in the Kurdistan region. Measures to end these illegal practices by stopping dialogue with the advocates of the referendum and imposing a comprehensive boycott. " 

"We are not happy with what happened, but we hold the region and its outgoing president responsible for the consequences," he said, adding that "the positions of many of Iraq's neighbors have been firm and clear in the face of this practice. Legitimacy, and called on those countries to boycott the Kurdistan region politically, economically and security and not deal with him. "

Maliki has criticized the positions of the outgoing Kurdistan region President Massoud Barzani aimed at tearing Iraq, saying: The policies of the illegitimate President Barzani one day express the partnership throughout these years, he has repeatedly opposed the arming of the Iraqi army, and overcome the Constitution through the acquisition of Iraqi oil, And the expansion of the territory of others through various arguments and pretexts, not to mention the adoption of Erbil obstacle in the way of any political construction of unity, was contrary to the Constitution and manipulation of the Iraqi economy and deliberately to violate the sovereignty and unity of Iraq " 

He warned" of the transformation of Kurdistan to the area of influence and regional international conspiracy against Iraq And logic states And its peoples, its history and mission, calling on the Iraqi people , Arabs and Kurds and minorities to thwart secession , backed by Israel 's plan and stand firmly against this project , which paved the Barzani through his support for Daesh in toppling the provinces of Mosul and Salah al - Din, stress that Iraq is one unified and can not be divided , whatever the reasons. "

Maliki renewed his call to the government to provide protection to the people of Kirkuk province and the disputed areas of Arabs and Turkmen, Christians and Shabak and Sabean Waididin, considering the attack on those components is an attack on Iraq as a whole, and remain all the actions taken by the Iraqi government deterrent in its administrative and legal away from chaos and away from Informal interventions ".

[Butifldrm]

Abadi Directs The Security Forces To Protect Citizens From The Threat In Areas Controlled By The Region

Last updated 14:22 | 25-09-2017

Ansar / ... The commander of the General Armed Forces Haider Abadi, on Monday, the security services to protect citizens from the threat and force in areas controlled by the region. 
"The commander of the armed forces, Haider al-Abadi, directed the security services to protect the citizens from the threat and coercion they are subjected to in areas controlled by the region," a statement from the office of al-Abadi said. 
Local sources confirmed on Monday that the Kurdish forces in the province of Kirkuk forced citizens to vote yes in the referendum of Kurdistan, which was called by the outgoing Kurdistan Regional President Massoud Barzani. Ending / 62

http://www.alansaar.net/?p=77885

[yota691]

The Federal Government begins implementing the decisions of the Ministerial Council for National Security on the referendum of Kurdistan

 

 Since 2017-09-25 at 14:53 (Baghdad time)

Baghdad Mawazine News

The Federal Government began implementing the decisions of the Ministerial Council for National Security regarding the referendum of the Kurdistan region immediately after its adoption yesterday.

A government source told Mawazine News that "coordination was made with concerned countries to stop cooperation with the region regarding border ports, airports and oil export. We told these countries not to deal except through the federal government, and those countries have given their consent.

The source added that "the directives issued to the competent regulatory and judicial bodies to follow up the funds deposited in the account of the region and some politicians from the imports of oil sale of the region away from the federal government."

He pointed out that "any talks will not take place with the Kurdistan region after the referendum unconstitutional and there are practical measures will be taken in the areas under the control of the province, which imposed the policy of the status quo and this is unacceptable and will be addressed."

He pointed out that "the legal procedures started to work against the employees who contribute to the implementation of the referendum of the province contrary to the decision of the Federal Court and other measures will be taken in addition to the decisions of the Ministerial Council for National Security yesterday to maintain the unity of Iraqi land and the protection of citizens."

[DVdave]

Stick your finger in the air, like you don't care...Kurd up.

 

 

[coorslite21]

Please be aware that this is a........ Referendum.......on desire .......

 

Of course they will express the desire to be a Free & Sovereign Country....   

 

Maliki is still around to stir up trouble.......

 

and Abadi should have nipped this in the bud......

 

Time will tell where this all goes.........it does look like once again Iraq has procrastinated itself into more trouble......

 

Perhaps if they all go on vacation for a while the problems will just go away......

 

Oh wait......that's what they usually do......and it isn't working very well......They should all pull their heads out of their ashes.......

 

JMO

 

 

 

[yota691]

25-09-2017 03:25 PM

(Details) Sadr's statement: referendum is a step for the arm

 

 

 

"In the name of the Almighty," 
the Kurdish brothers may see that achieving their wishes (in a Kurdish state) has many benefits for them, although we respect all their wishes, but the aspirations do not materialize and not based on the interests of others and even aspirations of abstract wisdom, wisdom and sanity may drag the owner To destruction. 
Yes, the referendum is merely a step that might call for separation or not, as some Kurdish leaders claim, but the mere idea of the referendum and its establishment serves as an arm of the central government and of all of Iraq (the people and the government), especially since it came in a unilateral decision The extent of the large gap between ((the region)) and ((Center)) and the first disadvantage is to inflame the ethnic self that is no less than fueling the sectarian self-gravity.
I do not want to differentiate between one component and another. However, the Kurdish component - and in particular some of its leaders - have sinned and crossed the borders, which may have harmed themselves, as well as Iraq, its unity and security. And here I can not stand idly by and without doing what I dictate my legitimate and national duty. 
It is from the public interest and to preserve the unity of Iraq and its people with all its components and beautiful mosaics, including (the Kurds) ... I call for the following: - 
First: - A scientific meeting of the great Hawazee to find out the guidance of all Sunni and Shiite references and obtain fatwas, advice and decisions to enlighten them on this subject. 
Second: The meeting of ((Shiite)), ((Sunni)) political public and emergency and fast because the circumstance calls for reunification and forget some things, the most important may postpone the important even if time.
Third: - A meeting of the Kurdish opposition and other minorities to find out their suffering and knowledge of their views and to unite their ranks, and it is desirable if the meeting is unified with what came in the previous point. 
Fourth: We call on the Arab and Islamic countries to meet in Iraq or anywhere else to support Iraq in its ordeal - not as it happened in the other tribulation - to return to its Arab and Islamic embrace again in order to reach decisive decisions. 
Fifth: - Meeting with neighboring countries and the region, especially that the seriousness of the situation will be general, without interfering in Iraq's internal affairs. 
Sixth: There must be a firm stand by the United Nations in this regard and to stop US-Israeli interventions in this regard. 
Seventh: I call on the Iraqi government to impose its control over the air and land ports, protect the borders and make the security forces on the alert, hoping that this is not within the scope of sectarian and ethnic war.
In conclusion, call everyone to reason, logic and hard work in terms of constitutional, legal, judicial and parliamentary ... Here I call for a permanent meeting of the parliament and the Council of Ministers and not to evade responsibility ... I am ready to adopt all meetings to serve the public good ... God and me To succeed in completing our subsequent steps, wait for me with you, 
Moqtada al-Sadr

[DinarDavo]

Anyone see any good coming out of this?  

[Spider]

Its time to vote and implementation for HCL and oil company law before too late......

[gregp]

8 minutes ago, DinarDavo said:

Anyone see any good coming out of this?  

 

Nope. Just a world war. Say goodbye. 

[NEPatriotsFan1]

10 minutes ago, DinarDavo said:

Anyone see any good coming out of this?  

 Nope, not really.....  

 

i was kinda hoping to wake up to $3.39 to $1 Dinar  and find out that Abadi and Barzani implemented HCL overnight so they good tell he good folks of Kurdistan..... Chill the Hell out..... we're rich!!!! So who cares!

[yota691]

I do....Ha ha...and GM DV

[davis411]

Well Adam did say something might happen around the 25th

 

i think this is a show

i my gut only says this is a lot of bs news

maybe a last scare tactic to get you to sell out and get out??

 

i hope my gut is semi right

could be. Hunger pains also

[eburt]

What a mess - Man these guys had opportunity to get things right and still blew IT!!!!!!

[yota691]

25-09-2017 03:29 PM

"Pictures" highlighted the leaders of Kurdistan who voted with the referendum in the region

 

 

 

News published in 'Palms' the most prominent leaders of Kurdistan who voted with the referendum in the region

[yota691]

Hamoudi: The solutions were put in the wrong way, which developed the problem between Baghdad and Arbil

 

 Since 2017-09-25 at 15:34 (Baghdad time)

Baghdad - Mawazine News

The first deputy speaker of the House of Representatives Hammam Hamoudi, on Monday, that the Federal Court and the Constitution are the ruling on the problem of the federal government and the Kurdistan region, among that some solutions were put in the wrong way, which held the problem and prolong.

"The problem is between the federal government and a region governed by the constitution and going to the federal court," a statement by Hamoudi's office said. 
He added that "putting some solutions to the patchwork and political consensus is a complication of the problem and lengthen them," stressing that "these solutions have been dealt with (wrongly) in the past period."

On Monday (September 25, 2017), parliamentarian Hanan al-Fatlawi called on the Iraqi government to apply the law to a rebellious part of the state.

The federal government began today to implement the decisions of the Ministerial Council for National Security regarding the referendum of the Kurdistan region immediately after its adoption yesterday. Ending 29/34