Grateful for Obama's support, Kurds expect more from Trump

WASHINTON DC, United States (Kurdistan24) – At a crucial time when Kurdistan is closer than ever to independence and the United States has just experienced an unprecedented presidential election, Kurdish officials continue lobbying to maintain and strengthen Kurdish-American ties.

Masrour Barzani, the Kurdistan Region Security Council Chancellor, is heading a delegate on a trip to Washington, DC to initiate and affirm bilateral relations with the upcoming administration.

In a press conference, Chancellor Barzani expressed his gratitude for the support Washington has so far offered the Kurdistan Region and the Peshmerga.

Barzani also pointed out the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) expected more support from President-elect Donald Trump. 

Kurdish delegates met numerous US officials who “have expressed support for the Region and the Peshmerga fighting the terrorists.”

His delegate met with the House Intelligence Committee chaired by Devin Nunes, the representative for California’s 22nd congressional district, to discuss the future of US-Kurdistan relations and what it entails.

Moreover, Chancellor Barzani met with Dianne Feinstein, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Intelligence.

Additionally, Barzani met with Ed Royce, the Chairman of House Foreign Relations Committee and reviewed the progress in the campaign against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and a post-IS formula for Iraq’s mosaic of ethnic and religious groups to coexist.

The Chancellor’s presence in Washington, DC inspired several direct phone conversations between members of the President-elect’s administration and the KRG.

While cautious about creating false hope, Chancellor Barzani said, “Such dialogues can be a positive sign that the President-elect team will maintain US-Kurdish relationships.”

However, he warned nothing was guaranteed until the new government was officially in power and extended formal support for Kurds.

Touching upon the dialogues the Region was maintaining with Baghdad, Chancellor Barzani explained the KRG was seeking US support in finding peaceful solutions. 

“We don’t want to constantly live in anxiety, and we cannot trust only one person,” Barzani said.

“We need to be sure of the safety and security of our people and for that very reason, while in conversation with Baghdad, we asked Washington to support us in having a strategic dialogue,” he continued.

Regarding the sacrifices Peshmerga made not only to protect their nation but also other components of Iraq, Chancellor Barzani explained Kurdish forces had fought for a noble cause and not because of salaries.

“As you know, Kurdistan’s budget has been denied by Iraq since 2014. Our main goal is to protect our nation, but if Iraq continues to undermine the Kurdistan Region and its Peshmerga forces, we will have to think about other plans to move ahead,” the Chancellor stated.

He reiterated Kurdistan was ready to cooperate with Baghdad as long as they showed a similar willingness.

Chancellor Barzani, accompanied by the Chief of Staff to the President of the Kurdistan Region Fuad Hussein, has been in Washington on an official visit, meeting with US officials from the current administration and Trump’s new government.

Chancellor Barzani is scheduled to meet with more US officials and think tanks, including today at the Woodrow Wilson Center about governance and security in a post-IS Iraq.

Barzani will provide the perspective of the KRG on the liberation of Mosul, the future of governance in the region, and US engagement in Iraq.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany