Iraqi President Warns against Kurdish Independence Vote
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraqi President Fuad Masum warned the Arab country’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region against holding an independence referendum in September, noting that the proposed secession of the northern region from Iraq did not amount to a "declaration of independence."
According to a statement issued by his office, Masum met with a number of foreign diplomats at Baghdad's Salam Palace to celebrate the northern city of Mosul's recent "liberation" from the Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorist group.
During the meeting, Masum also spoke about the KRG's (Kurdistan Regional Government) unilateral decision to go ahead with the referendum, which has led to mounting tension between Baghdad and Erbil.
"Holding a referendum based on mutual understanding does not amount to a declaration of independence per se," Masum said, according to Daily Sabah.
He also stressed that the disputes between Baghdad and Erbil to be resolved through dialogue.
"Iraq's central government and the Kurdish region should look to the Constitution with a view to finding a middle ground," said Masum, noting that Article 140 of the constitution is devoted specifically to "disputed territories."
On July 26, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said the upcoming referendum would constitute a violation of Iraq's constitution and that referendum results would, therefore, be considered invalid.
In April, the representatives of the two main Kurdish parties of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) discussed the issue of a separation referendum and decided to hold the vote this year.
Masoud Barzani, the president of Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), announced on June 7 that the vote would be held on September 25 in the three governorates that make up the Kurdish region and in the areas that are disputed by the Kurdish and Iraqi governments, including the disputed northern city of Kirkuk, Khanaqin, Sinjar and Makhmur.
