Barzani: Independent Kurdistan to implement federalism

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region President stressed on Monday that in the absence of an alternative and a guarantee, the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum will be held on the scheduled date.

Addressing a crowd in a meeting of civil society organizations and unions in Erbil, Masoud Barzani, the Kurdistan Region President, declared that contrary to rumors, the independence referendum will not be postponed and will proceed as planned. 

His speech followed a week of negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad about the referendum. Despite reports that Baghdad has promised to make up for having failed Kurdistan Region in the past by denying its constitutional rights, President Barzani believes Baghdad would not stick to their promises for too long.

“After four months or so, they will reverse the situation to what it was. The fact is there is no trust left,” Barzani told a group of women, students, and youth groups.

He clarified that the decision to hold independence referendum determines the fate of all people of the Kurdistan Region, stating that an independent Kurdistan will not benefit a single individual or political party.

“Independent Kurdistan shall be based on democratic principles where all components are treated equally and their future is guaranteed,” Barzani added, saying that racism and extremism will not be tolerated in the independent Kurdistan.

"No one has the right to accuse others [those who say no to the referendum] of treason," Barzani said.

Speaking about the future political system of independent Kurdistan, Barzani mentioned it will be a federal system where each governorate has its own decision-making power, stressing the system will be open and away from centralization.

In response to Baghdad's claim that holding a referendum has not been mentioned in the Iraqi Constitution, Barzani asked if the Constitution approved of cutting Kurdistan Region’s share of the budget, ignoring Article 140, and preventing Peshmerga from receiving its share of military assistance.

"Self-determination is not a crime, but it is a means to prevent crimes against us," Barzani said.

Editing by Ava Homa