Barzani: We will make Kirkuk a symbol of harmony

07.07.2014 – Mewan Dolamari – BasNews, Erbil – Kurdistan Regional President Massoud Barzani has said that Kurdish attempts to live alongside Iraq has not been successful and for this reason they are pushing for independence and a referendum.

On Monday, Barzani met with the head of Kurdistan Democratic Party – Turkey and his delegates in Erbil, including the Political Bureau and Leadership Council members.

According to the official website of the Kurdistan Regional Presidency (KRP), in the meeting, Barzani said: “it is our pleasure to see that many changes and developments have been met in Turkey. Kurdish people in this part of Kurdistan must use wise and clear politics and follow those steps that are in the interest of Kurdish people.”In another part of the meeting, they discussed Kurdish independence and Iraq’s current situation and Barzani noted: “due to the crisis and wrong politics, no moderate actions are left between Shiite and Sunni people and the problems keep getting deeper.”“In the last decade, we have tested all the ways to be able to live with Iraq, but it’s failed and the reason is that officials in Baghdad impose authoritarian power,” said Barzani.

Barzani stressed the need to hold a general referendum in Kirkuk and disputed territories and mentioned that the decision of independence and holding a referendum has been made at the suitable and right time. “We will respect the components of Kirkuk and we will work based on their interests, and we will make Kirkuk a symbol of harmony,” added Barzani.