President Masum meets KRG leaders, ex-president Barzani

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraqi President Fuad Masum continued his Kurdistan Region tour on Wednesday, meeting with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, his deputy Qubad Talabani, and former President Masoud Barzani in Erbil.

He expressed to Rudaw his hope that Erbil and Baghdad will begin talks "in the near future."

Masum, a Kurd, said it is time for the two governments to "calm the dangerous situation" that has prevailed following Baghdad’s rejection of Kurdistan’s independence vote in September.

PM Barzani said in a tweet that he was pleased to meet with President Masum.

"We discussed efforts to resolve outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi authorities and latest political developments in the region," he tweeted.

Masoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), told Masum that the Iraqi government should immediately end its "unjust actions" and the language of "imposition" in the disputed areas that came under Iraqi control in October, according to a statement published by KDP's media office.

"The genocide that is happening in Khurmatu must be halted. This is not acceptable and we will not stay silent," the statement quoted Masoud Barzani as saying.

It said that the two agreed that outstanding issues must be resolved through peaceful dialogue, with President Masum emphasizing such talks must take place in light of the Iraqi constitution.

Masum began his Kurdish tour in Sulaimani on Saturday where he met with senior members from his Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), followed by meetings with Gorran and other parties.

He also visited Kirkuk, the disputed oil-rich province, on Monday where he said security must be the responsibility of only local police and the Iraqi army. And he urged the Kirkuk Provincial Council to elect a new governor.

Masum told Rudaw on Wednesday that he does not carry a message from anyone in the Iraqi government.

"I have my own message," Masum said, adding that he visited the Kurdistan Region in order to listen to Kurdish officials up close.

When he returns to Baghdad, he said he will not carry a message from Erbil, but will work to address the grievances and demands of each party.

Asked about ending the Iraqi-imposed ban on international flights to and from the Kurdistan Region, Masum said he had asked the Iraqi government some time ago to re-open the airports.

He was also asked about recent reports that US troops have been stationed at K-1 base outside of Kirkuk.

A Kurdish MP claimed on Wednesday that some US forces with military equipment were stationed at the base, saying the expectation is that the Americans were coordinating with Iraqi forces to form a joint operation room for Kirkuk.

Masum said he did not have knowledge of the matter.

Rudaw cannot independently verify this claim.