ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani emphasized to Turkey that Iraq is currently sectarian and Baghdad pushed the Kurdistan Region away.
"Baghdad pushed us away. The Kurdish nation has a real fear of Iraq,” Barzani explained in a televised round-table with Turkish press.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday Ankara would close its border with northern Iraq over the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum.
He said “Iraq’s current is sectarian” and Baghdad was “the reason we made our decision” to hold the independence vote at its scheduled time on Monday.
Kurdish leaders have emphasized that the referendum is the voice of its people and not an immediate declaration of statehood.
“Through this referendum we showed the desire of our nation to Baghdad and the world,” Barzani explained. “What we did was within the framework of Iraq and will stay within the framework of Iraq.”
The PM indicated the KRG’s second step is to ask Baghdad to resolve these issues through dialogue.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has sent Iraqi forces to join their Turkish counterparts on the Turkey-Kurdistan Region border in joint exercises.
Barzani also emphasized that the Kurdistan Region and the referendum are “no way a threat to Turkey.”
Both enjoy close economic ties through the trading of goods and Kurdistan’s oil pipeline terminates at the Turkish port of Ceyhan for the world markets. Erdogan, who has called the referendum “illegitimate,” also has said "After this let's see... who they sell (their oil) to. The valve is with us. It's finished the moment we close it."
Barzani retorted: “If the sanctions are imposed, they will affect people. But no one will starve.”
Turkey, in particular, has expressed concern about the referendum being conducted in diverse Kirkuk, which includes Turkmen, Arabs, Kurds, and other ethnic and religious groups. The province is a disputed or Kurdistani area, as it’s claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil.
“We want to live happy in Kurdistan with all components. We don’t want any problems. Kirkuk is the best example for the coexistence of all components,” added Barzani.
Last updated at 2:30 p.m.
