Barzani to Mattis: Referendum will go ahead if 'stronger alternative’ not offered By Rudaw 16 hours ago President Masoud Barzani receives The US Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Erbil on August 22, 2017. Photo: Rudaw   ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – President Masoud Barzani told US Secretary of Defense James Mattis the referendum will go ahead unless a stronger alternative is offered, but that Erbil will co