President Barzani: I believe Kurdistan referendum will lead to independence

President Barzani reiterated the referendum would be held according to schedule, denying rumors of any postponement.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani on Sunday held a press conference in Erbil to discuss the upcoming independence referendum vote.

President Barzani reiterated the referendum would be held according to schedule, denying rumors of any postponement.

The President pointed to the unsuccessful partnership with Iraq which led to the decision to hold a referendum, adding the Kurds would “never go back to Baghdad and renegotiate the failed partnership.”

President Barzani highlighted the years of genocide the Kurds suffered under successive oppressive regimes in Iraq and said only independence would guarantee Kurds the past atrocities would not reoccur.

“Kurdistan’s share of partnership with Baghdad was genocide, oppression, and killings,” he explained.

The President drew examples, particularly Baghdad’s violations of the Iraqi Constitution which included ignoring Article 140 on disputed territories, the rights of Peshmerga, and budget cuts.

“We tried our best to find a solution with Baghdad, but Iraq did not accept our partnership. Partnership with Iraq is over,” he noted, adding the Kurds lost hope in a renewed relationship and decided to hold a referendum.

On the steps following the vote, President Barzani stated the Kurdistan Region was ready to sit down with officials in Baghdad to negotiate a peaceful, democratic process toward independence.

“It is not logical to end our relationship with Iraq in a way that is not mutually beneficial,” he said. “We must continue to be brothers as neighbors.”

However, President Barzani said the Kurdistan Region would “never go back to Baghdad to renegotiate the failed partnership” after 2003.

Responding to a Kurdistan 24 correspondent who asked what Kurdistan’s relationship with Iraq would be in the future, the President said the Kurdish leadership “have a vision” and will “negotiate a process toward independence” with Baghdad.

“We will never close the doors of negotiation from our side,” he said. “It is up to Iraqis to decide when they are ready to negotiate [following the referendum].”

The President added the future state system of Kurdistan would be decided by the people of Kurdistan based on citizenship, democracy, and federalism.

“We want the people of Kurdistan to decide what they want in a democratic, peaceful way,” President Barzani continued. “Is it a crime?”

“We had not asked for a referendum during the Anfal and other genocidal campaigns against Kurds. Why is it wrong to ask now?” The President said.

He also reiterated that all religious and ethnic components in Kurdistan would have their rights guaranteed in a new Kurdistan Constitution.

“Only independence can pay back the grievances, pain of martyrs and families of martyrs,” President Barzani said.

The President also addressed concerns from the international community and neighboring countries that the independence referendum would destabilize the Middle East.

“We look forward to having excellent cooperation with neighboring countries. We proved we are friends, factors of stability,” President Barzani said.

The President admitted the Kurds were taking a “risky path” by holding the independence vote but emphasized that “the will of the Kurds would never be broken.”

“Asking people to exercise their right to vote in a peaceful, democratic way is not a crime,” he said. “We are ready to pay any price for our independence.”

Regarding the military cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, President Barzani underlined the “excellent coordination between Peshmerga and Iraqi forces” in the fight against terror, adding they would “continue the same chemistry.”

“The operation [against the Islamic State] in Mosul and Tal Afar highlights the effective cooperation between the Peshmerga and Iraqi army,” he added. “We are ready to continue this relationship.”

“We don’t expect any clashes between Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army.” There is good coordination between them in the war against terror,” President Barzani explained.

He also said Peshmerga in Kirkuk, a disputed territory between Erbil and Baghdad, were instructed not to respond to any provocations, adding people in Kirkuk who wished to vote should do so at a safe time.

WATCH the full press conference.

The President also responded to Turkish concerns about an independent Kurdish state and said Kurdistan was not a threat to Turkey’s national security, and any economic sanctions imposed by Ankara would negatively affect both parties.

“Turkey and neighboring countries closing their border will not benefit either side,” President Barzani said. “I believe any sanctions will be negative for both sides.”

At the end of the press conference, President Barzani reiterated the people of Kurdistan are “expressing peacefully to decide on their future.”

“I believe this referendum will lead to independence,” he concluded.