Kerry meets Barzani, Kurd president says now is the time for self-determination  

KT News:

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

US Secretary of State John Kerry is in South Kurdistan today for talks with president Barzani and others. This follows his talks yesterday in Baghdad with Iraqi prime minister Maliki and other Iraqi political leaders. Kerry is seeking the elusive formula for a united front of Arab Shias, Arab Sunnis and Kurds to defeat the ascendant jihadist forces of ISIS.

The Kurds’ hand has been strengthened lately by the role of their peshmerga forces in defending Kirkuk and other ‘disputed territories’ from ISIS. In an interview with Christiane Amanpour on CNN yesterday, president Masud Barzani said Kurds had done everything they could since 2003 to try and build a new, democratic Iraq but that “Iraq is obviously is falling apart anyway. The federal government has lost control of everything. It is not our fault. We did not cause the collapse of Iraq”.

Barzani said that the ISIS “terrorists” had been able to seize an opportunity created by the “legitimate” disaffection of Iraqi Sunnis with the Shia-led government in Baghdad.  He said Iraqi prime minister Maliki had failed to heed his several warnings about the threat or to accept his offer of help in fighting ISIS. He added that a “comprehensive political solution” was needed for an effective military campaign against ISIS.

Pressed by Amanpour on whether he would put the case for Kurdish independence to Kerry, Barzani did not exactly confirm this although earlier in the interview he said: “After the recent events in Iraq it has been proven that the Kurdish people could seize the opportunity now. The time is here for the Kurdistan people to determine their future”. He also pointed out, that in a previous ‘informal’ vote held in south Kurdistan in 2005, more than 90 per cent voted for Independence.

4 Responses to Kerry meets Barzani, Kurd president says now is the time for self-determination  
  1. KIM
    June 24, 2014 | 09:31

    An independent Kurdistan will benefit all sides ( Christians, Jews, Shabaks, Yezedis, Turkomen, Baha’is, Assyrians).Turkomen rights must fully be respected. Iraqi Chrisians can move to South for good. Kurdish Jews from Isreal are always welcome back. An umbrella for all!

  2. Baqi
    June 24, 2014 | 09:34

    If another referendum is held in South, 99% of Kurdish citizens would vote for independence now!

  3. Ken Kelso
    June 24, 2014 | 14:29

    Kerry opposes a Kurdish state but wants a Palestinian state. Kerry is a big time Fraud.
    Why the hell would Kurds want to be governed by Barbarians like the Sunni Arabs and Shiites.
    I urge everyone to read this article which shows its the Kurds who deserve a state.
    Google this article.

    Who Truly Deserves a State? The Kurds or the Palestinians?
    By Victor Sharpe
    February 19, 2012

  4. Alan
    September 29, 2014 | 23:43

    Good luck to the Kurdish people. After all you have been through you are all most deserving of a homeland of your own.
    Kurdish people understand what it is like to be victimized and what it is like to fight for your own survival every day of your life surrounded by people who would rather see you gone. just like the Israelis. Be strong.
    Don’t ever give up hope. This part of the world needs you all in it.

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