Barzani: Independence heals suffering of people of Kurdistan
When we discussed independence with Baghdad officials, they did not take the matter seriously, assuming that Kurdistan Region was using the matter to exercise pressure on Baghdad, but that was never a pressure card. Statehood is what people of Kurdistan want, he said.
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region President stated that the best cure for the tragedies and sufferings of people of Kurdistan Region is having an independent state.
Independence and freedom are the best solutions to end the suffering of people of the Kurdistan Region, said Masoud Barzani, the Kurdistan Region President, in the commemoration of the 34th anniversary of the Barzanis genocide, held in the village of Barzan, Erbil province.
In the event attended by Kurdistan Region officials and diplomats and representatives of foreign countries, Barzani reminded the audience that 34 years ago, the then Baath regime in Iraq, took 8,000 members of the Barzani tribe to the deserts and killed them indiscriminately.
He explained that out of 182,000 victims of Anfal Genocide who have been missing, the remains of nearly 3000 have been found, among whom 800 were Barzani.
President promised the families of the victims that KRG would do all its best to bring back the remains of every single victim to be buried properly in Kurdistan.
Barzani thanked people of Erbil and its surrounding areas for offering support to the families of the victims.
In regard to the relations with Baghdad, Barzani said that in the Iraq of 1920 to 2003 and "from then until now, we have tried our best, despite all the tragedies that we have suffered. We were ready to open a new chapter and live like brothers in a democratic way and through a peaceful coexistence."
“In post-2003 Iraq, there has not been any adherence to the Constitution: Article 140 was not implemented, Peshmerga was prevented from receiving weapons, their salaries were cut despite constitutional right,” Barzani explained.
“Baghdad cut the source of living for the entire population of Kurdistan--including milk for children--without offering any justification. That is a crime no less than the chemical bombardment and Anfal,” Barzani stated.
President praised the Peshmerga forces for contributing to the liberation of Mosul, stating that process would not have been possible without Peshmerga.
Barzani added that violations of the signed agreements and the Constitution have obliged the Kurdistan Region to rethink its relationship with Baghdad, hoping to prevent major confrontations.
When we discussed independence with Baghdad officials, they did not take the matter seriously, assuming that Kurdistan Region was using the matter to exercise pressure on Baghdad, but that was never a pressure card. Statehood is what people of Kurdistan want, he said.
Barzani concluded that the only way our deep wounds would heal, for those who suffered during the Anfal and Barzani genocide, chemical attack, and Ezidi genocide, would be to achieve independence and liberation.
Editing by Ava Homa