Kurdistan’s political parties agree to hold referendum in Kirkuk

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region political parties convened in Kirkuk to form a committee on the referendum for Kurdish independence. The board will discuss the procedures for holding the referendum in the province and other areas outside of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) administration.

On Monday, Kurdish parties held a meeting in the city of Kirkuk to review the mechanisms which would allow the KRG to hold a referendum on independence in Kirkuk and other disputed areas between Baghdad and Erbil. They are also looking at ways to initiate a dialogue with the various constituents of Kirkuk, including Arab and Turkmen political parties.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) attended the meeting with other Kurdish, Turkmen and Christian parties. Gorran [Change Movement] boycotted the gathering for being held at the KDP Leadership Council's Hall in Kirkuk and Garmiyan, a Kurdistan24 correspondent in Kirkuk reported.

In a joint press conference, Salah Dalo, Head of the KDP’s Leadership Council in Kirkuk and Garmiyan, said the referendum on independence, projected to be held this year in the Kurdistan Region, would include Kirkuk and areas outside KRG-administrated provinces.

Dalo additionally mentioned that all Kurds within the Kurdistan Region and Iraq have the right to participate in the referendum and express their opinion regarding an independent Kurdistan.  As such, Dalo believes the question should extend to those in Kirkuk and other areas that are not administrated by the KRG.

Discussing relations between the Kurdish parties and other components of Kirkuk's political makeup, Dalo stated it is not the policy of Kurdish parties and the Kurdistan Region to marginalize interested parties.

The committee, comprised of Kurdish parties, will consult with other parties and stakeholders affected by the referendum and take their opinion into consideration.

Edited by G. H. Renaud