Kurds disappointed in statement by US Secretary Tillerson

[Anthea]

British parliamentary group’s statement on Kurdistani referendum

The 93 percent Yes vote on a high turnout demonstrates the settled will of the Kurdistani people for eventual independence. The high vote follows years of broken promises by leaders in Baghdad who have done little to persuade the Kurds they are respected and valued. The outbreak in Baghdad of belligerent bullying and a probable blockade is further evidence of that.

Forgot to mention the Anfal genocide that left COUNTLESS THOUSANDS of innocent Kurds dead

Kurdistani leaders of all persuasions have told us they will not be subordinates in Iraq and that the referendum is a mandate to negotiate a new settlement with Baghdad over years rather than UDI, and does not diminish their contribution to fighting Daesh.

We agree with the British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson that all parties should remain calm and we welcome his statement that the UK is ready to help.

(...the UK is ready to help) it was the UK that made Kurds slaves to Iraq in the first place

We will report back our observations on the process of the referendum, which we witnessed in Erbil, Kirkuk and Sulaimani, and its ramifications to parliament with a view to encouraging bipartisan support for dialogue. We also aim to visit Baghdad to listen to their views and convey our understanding of Kurdistani concerns.

We are anxious to maintain the UK's good relations with Kurdistan which is a valued ally and shares our values of freedom, democracy and pluralism


Jack Lopresti MP, Chairman All Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan Region
Gary Kent, Director

[Anthea]

A century of ups and downs

It is difficult to deny that the international community, and the UK in particular, has a historic debt of honour to support the aspirations of the Kurdish people's inherent right to self-determination.

The promise to allow the people of Kurdistan to decide their fate by referendum was first introduced in the 1920 Treaty of Sèvres between the Ottoman Empire and the Allied Powers, only to be dropped three years later in the Treaty of Laussane following the Turkish war of independence.

Since then, the Kurdish story is replete with horrendous suffering at the hands of Saddam Hussein, and the recent heroic sacrifice in their and our fight against the Islamic State (IS) group. Over this time, the facts on the ground have changed dramatically and the de-facto autonomy of Iraqi Kurdistan has been crystallising ever since John Major instigated the no-fly zone over northern Iraq following the first Gulf War.

[Benny]

Boris Johnson??! Holy sh*t! If you have to rely on him...then you really are in trouble!

Have a nice weekend nevertheless

/B

[Anthea]

Kurdish people disappointed in statement by US Secretary Tillerson on referendum

The Kurdistan Region Presidency expressed its concerns on Sunday over a statement by the United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who had said the US “does not recognize” Kurdistan’s independence referendum.

“The people of Kurdistan, who have consistently and enthusiastically supported the United States, especially more recently in its fight against ISIS and Saddam Hussein, are deeply disappointed in the statement by Secretary Tillerson on Friday," read a statement from the Presidency.

A statement from Tillerson on Friday read that “the vote and the results lack legitimacy and we continue to support a united, federal, democratic and prosperous Iraq.”

Tillerson said that aspirations of stability and prosperity in the Kurdistan Region “cannot be advanced through unilateral measures such as this referendum.”

In response to Tillerson’s announcement on the independence referendum, the KRP replied “Of all the countries in the world, the United States should appreciate and honor Kurds' decision for independence as manifested by 92% of voters in a free, transparent and peaceful referendum held on September 25.”

The statement which was issued by Dr. Omed Sabah Spokesperson of the Presidency also read “Although we appreciate the United States' call for a nonviolent response to the referendum, neither the United States nor any other country has stopped Baghdad's unconstitutional and illegal mistreatment of the Kurds, which has continued since 2005 when we adopted the Constitution.”

“We hope in the coming days the United States will re-evaluate its position and support wholeheartedly the legitimate aspirations of the people of the Kurdistan Region as well as participate in the peaceful negotiation between Erbil and Baghdad,” it added.

The statement added that the Kurdistan parliament authorized the referendum.

It added that the referendum “is allowed under relevant provisions of the Iraqi Constitution."

“The referendum enabled the people of Kurdistan to exercise the right of self-determination as contained in the UN Charter and at least two subsequent international conventions,” it said.

The US’ official stance has been opposed to Kurdistan’s independence referendum since the beginning, arguing the vote will have a destabilizing effect and throwing its support behind a united Iraq.

Individual American lawmakers have, however, recently expressed support for Kurdistan’s right to self-determination and sovereignty aspirations.

On Wednesday, Senator Chuck Schumer, Senate minority leader, released a statement supporting an independent Kurdish state.

On Monday evening, as people cast their ballots, US Congressman Trent Franks introduced legislation to support Kurdistan’s right of self-determination.

Over 92 percent of voters supported separating from Iraq in Monday’s vote.