Kurdistan Referendum on the right side of history: French director

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Monday, Sep. 25 was a 'very special day' for all the friends of the Kurds and lovers of freedom and democracy, according to French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy.

As the people of the Kurdistan Region went ahead with their highly anticipated referendum on independence from Iraq, international observers such as Levy joined in celebrating the vote and its results.

“This is not just the birth of a nation, but of a democratic nation,” Levy said. “The world is richer with the addition of one more democracy.”

The French film director noted the importance of the process, how it was held, and the significance of holding a popular vote on such a contentious issue in the region.

“In this area, you have so many regimes which are not democratic,” he said, adding that the Kurdistan referendum was “great news” as it signals “the birth of a democratic nation.”

Levy criticized the international community’s response to the referendum so far but assured it would not be long before their stance would change.

“The international community has been blackmailed by the Islamist Republic of Iran, the Islamist regime of Erdogan, and by the failed state of Iraq. It is always shy and lazy in front of Iran, Iraq, and Turkey,” he asserted.

“But deep down in their hearts, most of the democracies in the world are on the side of the Kurds,” Levy affirmed. “They know you are right and on the right side of history.”

For Levy, the international community and its Western-bloc, which opposed the referendum and its timing, will soon join in supporting the Kurds.

“More and more democratic countries will say Barzani was right not to be intimidated by Iran, Turkey, and Iraq,” Levy continued, referring to the Kurdistan Region’s President. “Kurdistan will negotiate peacefully, steadily, calmly the future relationships with Iraq. Then we will see what the situation will be.”

The Kurdistan Region’s leadership has emphasized a ‘Yes’ vote win does not lead to an automatic and immediate declaration of the Kurdistan Region’s independence following the vote. Rather, it provides the Kurdish leadership a mandate to engage in serious dialogue and peaceful negotiations with Baghdad for an amicable divorce.

“Democracies around the world know that that family has one new member, which is the Kurds of Iraq,” Levy concluded.

(Blessa Shawesy conducted the interview)