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


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SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 / 7:20 AM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

Kurds press historic independence vote despite regional fears

 

6 MIN READ

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A man carries balloons decorated with Kurdistan flags before the start of a rally calling to vote yes in the coming referendum, Erbil, Iraq September 22, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari

ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi Kurds are expected to vote on Monday to back an independence drive that neighboring countries and Western powers fear could break up the country and stir broader regional ethnic and sectarian conflict.

Kurdish red-white-green tricolors set with a blazing golden sun adorn cars and buildings throughout the semi-autonomous northern Kurdistan region. Billboards exhort “the time is now - say ‘yes’ to a free Kurdistan!”

Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdish region since 2005, has resisted efforts by the United Nations, the United States and Britain to delay the referendum. Neighboring Turkey is holding army border exercises to underline its concerns Iraqi Kurdish separatism could feed insurrection on its soil.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on live television on Friday the vote posed a threat to national security and Ankara “will do what is necessary” to protect itself. He did not elaborate.

But Hoshyar Zebari, a senior advisor to Barzani, told Reuters: “This is the last five meters of the final sprint and we will be standing our ground.”

Many Kurds see the vote, though non-binding, as a historic opportunity to achieve self-determination a century after Britain and France divided the Middle East under the Sykes-Picot agreement. That arrangement left 30 million Kurds scattered over Iran, Turkey, Syria and Iraq.

Zebari said delaying the vote without guarantees it could be held on a binding basis after negotiations with Baghdad would be ”political suicide for the Kurdish leadership and the Kurdish dream of independence.

“An opportunity my generation won’t see again”.

The referendum raises most risk of ethnic conflict in the oil city of Kirkuk, which lies outside the recognized boundaries of the Kurdish region and is claimed by Baghdad. Its population includes Arabs and Turkmen but it is dominated by Kurds.

 

Turkey has long claimed a special responsibility in protecting ethnic Turkmen. Some of Iraq’s Turkmen are Shi‘ite and affiliated to political parties close to Iran.

'‘We expect those who are against the referendum to cause trouble but we are determined not to engage in any kind of violence, we don’t want to  give them any excuse to intervene or to question the validity of the vote,’’ Zebari said.

KIRKUK AND OIL

Tensions between the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad hinge on oil revenue the Kurds see as the mainstay of a future Kurdish state. The Kurds have long accused Baghdad of withholding budget payments to the region, while Baghdad has opposed oil deals made by the Kurds without its consent.

 

A man carries the Kurdistan flags before the start of a rally calling to vote yes in the coming referendum, in Erbil, Iraq September 22, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari

A regional conflict could threaten oil supply from Kurdish and northern Iraqi fields to world markets, carried through a pipeline to Turkey.

Already at least one Kurd has been killed in pre-referendum clashes in Kirkuk, and security checkpoints have been erected across the city to prevent further violence.

The central government in Baghdad, Iraq’s neighbors and Western powers fear the vote could break up a country that has seen devastating sectarian and ethnic conflict since a 2003 U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein.

It could also undermine efforts, involving Arab and Kurdish cooperation, to dislodge Islamic State militants now driven from their northern stronghold in Mosul but still dug in near Kirkuk and operating across the border in Syria.

Any conflict around Kurdish northern Iraq could have ramifications across the Middle East, not least in Syria, Turkey and Iran. Ankara, Baghdad and Tehran agreed on Thursday to consider counter-measures against the Kurdish plans.

 

People carry the flags of Kurdistan before the start of a rally calling to vote yes in the coming referendum, in Erbil, Iraq September 22, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari

Turkey, which has developed close commercial and political ties with the region, especially in the area of energy, has also threatened to impose sanctions.

Condemning the vote as “provocative and destabilizing”, the U.S. has urged renewed negotiations. This followed a week of escalating rhetoric between the Kurdish leadership and Baghdad, where parliament voted to reject the referendum.

Though the general mood seems in favor of independence, many, especially non-Kurds, told Reuters they questioned the wisdom of holding a referendum now.

“We have been always living peacefully and don’t want problems,” said Karima Attiyah, an elderly Arab woman who has spent here whole life in Kirkuk. “I don’t support the referendum.”

 

Some fear it would embolden an entrenched political elite in a region long been plagued by political disunity. Barzani has been a powerful force for more than two decades where the north has been spared the turmoil that has affected much of the rest of Iraq.

Others cite a generational divide.

Older generations of Iraq’s Kurds suffered during Saddam Hussein’s 1980s Anfal campaign, and want to see their struggle for national independence come to fruition.

“(Our fathers and mothers) think it’s a betrayal not to vote for yes,” said Muhammed, a researcher from Sulaimaniyah in his 30s. “Their sons and relatives were killed by the Baghdad government in the past and they think the referendum is one way to [take] revenge.”

More than 5.2 million people are registered to vote.

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Exclusive: Iraq’s Kurdish leader tells the Guardian why the independence vote is so vital, and how he will defy global opposition

 

 

Martin Chulov and Paul Johnson in Erbil, northern Iraq

Friday 22 September 2017 10.40 BST

 

 

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A pro-independence rally in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq.
Photograph: Safin Hamed/AFP/Getty Images
 
 
 
 
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umb's note:  Hard to be surprised here.......
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Barzani: We will negotiate on the border and oil and gas after the referendum

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Barzani: We will negotiate on the border and oil and gas after the referendum

 

Last Post: 22-09-2017 06:34 PM

The Euphrates -

 

Renewed the President of the Kurdistan region Massoud Barzani to confirm the continuation of the referendum on the separation of the Kurdish region from Iraq, stressing that the negotiation of borders and natural resources will be held after the referendum.

 

Barzani said in a speech to a crowd in Erbil that the issue of postponement of the referendum has become out of the hands of the President of the region or parties, after it became a public issue. He said that several years ago we reached the conviction that we can not live with Baghdad anymore. We have tried very hard with all parties to find a solution to the problems and abide by the constitution, but they have not accepted the partnership.

 

"After September 25 we will negotiate on the border, oil, gas and everything," he said.

 

"We thought after 2003 that we were building a new Iraq, but instead of building a civil democratic state, we found a sectarian state.

 

"They should have sent weapons to the Peshmerga but they cut the budget," he said, adding that Baghdad believed the Kurds were divided and could not complete the referendum. "After Iraq's constitution was drafted, we accepted it, but Baghdad did not comply with article 140 of the constitution (especially the disputed areas)," he said.

 

He explained that the referendum is not to draw the borders, but to assert our right to independence, stressing: "We wait a hundred years ago today. Indicating his rejection of all local, regional and international pressure to postpone the referendum, and said, 'They press us day and night. We will not go back to a failed experiment. '

 

"I will not take a position that my people are ashamed of. Whoever rejects the referendum, goes to the boxes and says no. '

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(by samson)

 

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What are the six conditions set by Barzani in exchange for the postponement of the referendum?


 22nd September, 2017


These are the six conditions demanded by the President of the Kurdistan region Massoud Barzani in exchange for postponement of the referendum: 

The central government to pay the budgets of the region since 2013 until 2017 

2 Paying the salaries of Peshmerga fighters 

Accelerate the application of Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution , Crucially to be the disputed areas of the share of the Territory 

4 to be negotiations between Baghdad and Erbil under the auspices of the United Nations and the guarantee thereof 

5 The Iraqi parliament's approval of the law gives Erbil the right to export oil and gas and authorizes the disposal of its revenues while preserving the right to own oil wealth Region 

6 postponement of the referendum for two years and if Baghdad failed to implement the demands, it would be Barzani right to declare the Kurdish state

Edited by DinarThug
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Yota,  DT Thanks,  Barzani is one slick fella.  He is truly playing "Chess" game with PM Abadi & others.  BLUF.....He is still a "Corrupt" individual along with his family who have stolen the oil wealth from the Kurdish citizens for decades.

 

"Where did you get this" should apply to all KRG & IRAQI Politicians!!!!!!!!!!

 

He only wants to negotiate "Oil & Gas", "Border" issues after referendum with Baghdad maybe because of more leverage based on percentage of "YES" votes IMHO.

 

GO ABADI

 

UNITY FOR ALL OF IRAQ

 

GO RV / RI

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  • yota691 changed the title to Kurdistan Region delegation heads to Baghdad
 
Saturday 23 September
 
   
 
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delegation from the Kurdistan Region Referendum Council on Saturday went to Baghdad to discuss the latest positions with Iraqi officials on the referendum scheduled for next Monday. 

The correspondent of Alsumaria News that the delegation of the Supreme Council for the referendum in the Kurdistan region went to Baghdad shortly through Erbil airport, indicating that the delegation consists of representatives of the Kurdish parties, Turkmen, the protesters and Isidine. 

The correspondent said that the delegation is scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi and a number of political parties, pointing out that the delegation will discuss the latest positions with Baghdad on the referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan region.

 

 

 

 


The Council of the referendum of the Kurdistan region of Kurdistan announced last Thursday, that the referendum process will be held on schedule, stressing at the same time keep the doors of dialogue with Baghdad open. 

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The delegation of the province leaves Erbil for Baghdad

 

 Since 2017-09-23 at 12:50 (Baghdad time)

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Baghdad Mawazine News

Informed sources, on Saturday, the departure of a delegation of the Kurdistan region to the capital Baghdad, to discuss the issue of the referendum.

The sources told Mawazine News that a Kurdish delegation headed to Baghdad from Kurdistan to discuss the referendum file with the central government.

The Kurdistan Regional Government has set the September 25 date for a referendum on secession from Iraq

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23-09-2017 01:17 PM
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The delegation in charge of negotiations with Baghdad left by the Supreme Committee for the referendum in the Kurdistan Region, on Saturday, heading to the capital. 

The delegation is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister Haider Abadi, and other parties and political forces to clarify the desire of the Kurdistan Region to hold the referendum on time.

 

 

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The arrival of the Kurdish delegation to meet the leaders of the National Alliance

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The arrival of the Kurdish delegation to meet the leaders of the National Alliance

 

23-09-2017 02:21 PM

 

The Euphrates -

 

The arrival of the Kurdish delegation to meet the leaders of the National Alliance. It is hoped to hold a joint press conference after the meeting.

 

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McGowork: Negotiations continue behind closed doors on Kurdistan referendum

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McGowork: Negotiations continue behind closed doors on Kurdistan referendum

 

23-09-2017 01:56 PM

The Euphrates -

 

The US President's envoy to the international coalition against the organization calling for terrorist Brett McGork, that there are a number of good ideas on the referendum of Kurdistan.

 

At a news conference in New York, McGuck declined to comment on the details of those 'good ideas' about the independence referendum for the Kurdistan Region. Adding that negotiations are continuing behind closed doors.

 

On the position of his country on the referendum said: Our position is what was announced during the meeting between Presidents Trump and Erdogan.

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An important meeting between the international community and the Kurdish political leadership in Erbil

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An important meeting between the international community and the Kurdish political leadership in Erbil

 

23-09-2017 02:15 PM

The Euphrates -

 

A leading figure in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan for a meeting expected between the international community and the Kurdish political leadership to discuss the referendum file.

 

Rizgar Ali, a member of the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, said in a press statement Saturday that an important meeting will be held in the city of Arbil between the Kurdish political leadership and the international community (the United States, the International Alliance and the United Nations) to discuss the referendum file and make the final decision.

 

He added that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan believes that the initiative of the international community and the United Nations is appropriate, but nevertheless must be the basis for this initiative gives the Kurds all the necessary guarantees. Stressing that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to disagree with the holding of the referendum, because since its founding raised the slogan of the right to self-determination and fought for it.

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Barzani will announce the postponement of the referendum this evening

The political scene  Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 14:06 pm (2494 views)20170923_020613-335.jpg                                                                                                                                                 Barzani will announce the postponement of the referendum this evening
 

Baghdad / Sky Press

 

The sources confirmed on Saturday that the President of the Kurdistan region, "Massoud Barzani," will deliver a speech on the evening announcing the cancellation of the referendum ..

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© Sputnik. Alexey Vitvitsky
THE WORLD
13:43 23.09.2017
 

The Kurdish community outside the Kurdistan region of Iraq began to cast their votes electronically within the first phase of the referendum on the secession of the region. The Rudao News Agency reported.

 

The president of the province Massoud Barazani said in a speech during his participation in a popular festival to support the referendum of separation, that the time to demand the postponement is over, explaining that the decision of the referendum has come out of his hand and became the hand of the Kurdish people.

 

Barazani confirmed his readiness to negotiate with Baghdad on the border oil and water and the rest of the outstanding issues under the supervision of the international community, except for the return of the Green Line to be after the referendum scheduled for next Monday.

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Due to pressure .. Barzani's press conference on the independence referendum postponed

 

 Since 2017-09-23 at 14:04 (Baghdad time)

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 Baghdad Mawazine News

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on Saturday confirmed the postponement of the press conference scheduled for today by the Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani on the referendum on independence scheduled for Monday.

 The media office of the Prime Minister of Kurdistan said in a statement today that "the press conference was supposed to be held by the President of the region Massoud Barzani, on the referendum on independence, and the conference will be held on Sunday, and will be announced place and time later."

Barzani is under increasing pressure and international warnings to change his mind and postpone the referendum expected on the twenty-fifth of this September.

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(2024)   -   Number of readings: 540   -   Number (2024)
 
 
The National Alliance is a committee comprising representatives of the Sunnis and Turkmen to negotiate with the Kurdish delegation



 Baghdad / Mohammed Sabah 
 

Is expected to resume on Saturday a delegation of Kurdistan's senior talks in the capital Baghdad, with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the rest of the blocks and components to discuss the issue of the referendum, which is planned for the Kurdistan region to be held next Monday. 


The delegation, headed by KDP leader Rose Nuri Shaways, will meet with the joint committee, which includes representatives of the National Alliance and the Union of Iraqi Forces, as well as representatives of Turkmen and Christians. 
"A Kurdish delegation will arrive Saturday in the capital Baghdad and will meet with the federal government and various political forces to discuss the latest developments on the subject of the referendum, which will be on the 25 of September," said Fadi al-Shammari, a leader of Al-Hikma movement.
"The National Alliance formed a joint committee comprising representatives of the Union of Iraqi forces and Turkmen and Christians and other minorities to dialogue with the Kurdish delegation that will arrive in Baghdad," adding that "this committee rejects the referendum and its content." 
The representative of the Kurdistan Democratic bloc Najib Najib that "the Kurdish delegation, which will visit Baghdad consists of seven figures will discuss with the federal government and political forces possible solutions and alternatives to the referendum in the Kurdistan region." 
Najib revealed in a statement to (the extent) yesterday, that "the Kurdish delegation will be headed by the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Rose Nuri Shaways and includes in its membership Saadi Bira representative of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and Vian Dakhil representative of the Yazidi component, and Fouad Hussein, Kurdistan, as well as representatives of the Turkmen and the Christians and the Kurdistan Islamic Union Party. "
The deputy said that "the delegation will meet with the government and other political forces to negotiate and dialogue on the referendum of the Kurdistan region," asserting that "the region kept the door of dialogues open to the federal government and other components and blocks." 
A high-level meeting was held in the city of Sulaymaniyah on Wednesday, agreeing to send a Kurdish delegation to the capital Baghdad to resume talks with the central government on alternatives to the referendum. The meeting included both President Fuad Masum, Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani and PUK leader Hiro Ibrahim, as well as Kosrat Rasul Ali, Vice President of the Region. 
After the meeting, the President of the Republic Fuad Masum, announced the arrival of the Kurdish forces to put forward an initiative in light of the project presented by the United Nations Mission in Iraq, as a roadmap to resolve the contentious issues between Baghdad and Erbil.
But sources familiar with the atmosphere of the talks in Baghdad and Erbil have played down the importance of the initiative of the presidency. The sources, who spoke to (the extent) on Wednesday, that the leadership of the region limited the understanding with Baghdad, the Kurdish delegation negotiator, who intends to go to Baghdad. 
The parties of the National Alliance and the Union of Sunni Forces rejected the initiative of the President of the Republic. The head of the Iraqi National Alliance Salim al-Jubouri and the head of the National Alliance Ammar al-Hakim, last Wednesday evening, the repercussions of the referendum in the Kurdistan region and agreed on the need to lean on the table of dialogue between the central government and the region, and encircle the issue and make them within the framework of solutions.

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The referendum form in Kirkuk

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The referendum form in Kirkuk

 

23-09-2017 03:20 PM

 

The Euphrates -

 

A local source from the province of Kirkuk, the arrival of the form for the referendum to Kirkuk, stressing the end of all logistical preparations for the vote on Monday.

The source added that the form was distributed to 244 special polling stations as well as the completion of the preparations for the vote. Adding that 926 thousand citizens will vote in the referendum in the province of Kirkuk.

According to information, the ballot boxes arrived in Kirkuk and were distributed to polling stations for voting.

 

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/ Mawazin News / reveal the names of the Kurdish delegation coming to Baghdad

 

 Since 2017-09-23 at 15:24 (Baghdad time)

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Baghdad - Mawazine News

The Kurdish delegation led by former Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Deputy Prime Minister Rose Nuri Shaways arrived in Baghdad Saturday to meet with leaders of the federal government to discuss the issue of the Kurdistan independence referendum.

"The Kurdish delegation to Baghdad to negotiate the referendum included a member of the Political Bureau of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Rose Nuri Shaways, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan member of the Political Bureau of the party and its official spokesman Saadi Ahmed Bira, and the Kurdistan Islamic Union Mohammed Ahmed".

The source, who preferred not to be named, said that "either about the Turkmen component Mullah Majid, and the Chaldean Assyrian Syriac component Romeo Hakkari, and the representative of the Yezidi Kurds Vian Dakhil, in addition to the President of the Office of the Presidency of the Territory Fuad Hussein.

It was scheduled to attend the member of the Supreme Council for the referendum in the Kurdistan region Hoshyar Zebari, the meeting of the Kurdish delegation with officials in the central government, but missed for unknown reasons.

The Kurdish delegation headed by Shaways, visited the capital Baghdad on August 14 last.

The Kurdistan Regional Government intends to hold a referendum on "Independence" on September 25, despite local and international opposition and by different parties and political forces.

 

 

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  • yota691 changed the title to Parliamentary power: Kurds did not provide a convincing justification for non-commitment to pay oil money
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