Political Leadership of Kurdistan-Iraq: Cancelling referendum result non-negotiable

Kurdistan welcomed Ali Sistani’s initiative that urged dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region High Council for Referendum held its last meeting on Sunday following the “successful” vote and said they refuse to cancel its results as pre-condition for dialogue with Baghdad.

The Council, headed by Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani, held a meeting to end its mission and change its name to the “Political Leadership of Kurdistan-Iraq.”

The Council plans to hold discussions with the Iraqi government to move forward with implementing the results of the momentous referendum.

Khalil Ibrahim, a member of the former High Council for Referendum, said the vote was held successfully, marking the end of the Council’s duties.

“Our agenda, moving forward, will be finding the mechanisms to implement the people’s vote,” Ibrahim told reporters following the meeting.

According to a statement, the Political Leadership of Kurdistan-Iraq rejected all collective punishment and sanctions against the people of Kurdistan.

The assembly expressed support for responses made by Kurdistan’s Parliament and government on Baghdad’s sanctions against the people in the Kurdistan Region, including the flight ban.

The meeting reassured the international community that the referendum “represents the peaceful voice of the people of Kurdistan and is not a threat to regional security and stability.”

“We will rely on peaceful mechanisms, and no threats or pressures will make us retreat from the decision on Sep. 25, 2017,” the statement said.

The report called on the international community to respect the peaceful will of the people of Kurdistan, adding the Region insisted on resolving their issues with Baghdad through dialogue.

In another statement, the Political Leadership of Kurdistan-Iraq officially responded to and welcomed Ali Sistani’s earlier initiative that urged dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad.

 

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany