Masrour Barzani: Referendum would push Baghdad to recognize legitimate aspirations of Kurds

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region's independence referendum scheduled for Sep. 25, 2017 aims to formalize the border of the Kurdistan Region with the rest of Iraq, a senior Kurdish official stated on Saturday.

Kurdish officials have planned to hold a referendum to separate from Iraq, an act which they state is a natural right as the people of the Kurdistan Region "should be allowed" to decide on their future.

Following the announcement of the referendum, neighboring countries expressed their opposition toward the move, fearing it might encourage the large number of Kurdish people living within their borders to ask for the same, especially in Turkey.

The Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) Masrour Barzani stated that Turkey has "nothing to fear" from the independence referendum.

“The referendum will shape the bilateral relationship between Kurdistan and the rest of Iraq. We do not intend to change the borders of neighboring states. It simply formalizes a delineated border between Kurdistan and the rest of Iraq,” Barzani stated during an interview with the Guardian.

Kurdish top officials have repeatedly mentioned that Baghdad does not accept a real partnership with Erbil and has marginalized Kurds in governing Iraq.

“It’s time to accept that this model is not working. Iraq is already practically divided, and this vote will reflect what has already taken place. This referendum will be binding,” Barzani continued. “It will give us a mandate to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Baghdad on terms that recognize the legitimate aspirations of our people.”

The UN, along with many other nations in the world, has stated that the timing set for the vote is "not suitable" as the battle against the Islamic State (IS) continues in northern Iraq, but Kurdish officials insist the move is an historic opportunity for the people of the Kurdistan Region, whose voice has yet to be heard and recognized by the international community.

“If we wait for all problems to be solved in Iraq, it means the referendum should never be held. We have already waited for so long,” said the President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani in a previous interview with France 24.

Kurds are believed to be the largest stateless nation in the world, estimated at over 40 million, mostly settled in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria.

The creation of a Kurdish state has long been a dream for Kurds all around the world.

Editing by G.H. Renaud