ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Kurdish referendum is for independence and will not be postponed, said Kurdish President Masoud Barzani in a gathering on Wednesday with Islamic scholars.
"We do not mock our nation and will not delay the [referendum]," said Barzani in a gathering with the Kurdistan Islamic Scholars at Saad Abdulla Hall in Erbil on Wednesday.
Some, including officials from the United States, have said that the time of the referendum is not right.
Barzani said "let those who call for the referendum to be postponed to tell the people of Kurdistan why and what is the guarantee for our future."
Others have posited whether Turkey or Iran would blockade or take other measures to isolate the Kurdistan Region after the referendum.
Barzani said on Wednesday that he does not believe the border will be closed.
In a meeting in June, the Kurdish President with most political parties in the Kurdistan Region announced a referendum on independence to be held on September 25.
"The referendum belongs to all parties and people of Kurdistan, not an individual," Barzani said, noting the referendum is not the final objective, but a means to another objective; independence.
He explained that prior to the rise of ISIS he went to the Kurdish parliament and asked to hold a referendum.
The Kurdish President also highlighted the principle of partnership has ended in Iraq, giving the number of Kurds in the Iraqi army as an example as it has gradually decreased.
"The ratio of Kurds within the Iraqi army was 40 percent in the past. It is now very few to the point of almost none," he said. "I told Baghdad: 'Let us have the courage to say that the partnership failed.' "
This is a developing story. Last updated at 1:15 p.m.
"We do not mock our nation and will not delay the [referendum]," said Barzani in a gathering with the Kurdistan Islamic Scholars at Saad Abdulla Hall in Erbil on Wednesday.
Some, including officials from the United States, have said that the time of the referendum is not right.
Barzani said "let those who call for the referendum to be postponed to tell the people of Kurdistan why and what is the guarantee for our future."
Others have posited whether Turkey or Iran would blockade or take other measures to isolate the Kurdistan Region after the referendum.
Barzani said on Wednesday that he does not believe the border will be closed.
In a meeting in June, the Kurdish President with most political parties in the Kurdistan Region announced a referendum on independence to be held on September 25.
"The referendum belongs to all parties and people of Kurdistan, not an individual," Barzani said, noting the referendum is not the final objective, but a means to another objective; independence.
He explained that prior to the rise of ISIS he went to the Kurdish parliament and asked to hold a referendum.
The Kurdish President also highlighted the principle of partnership has ended in Iraq, giving the number of Kurds in the Iraqi army as an example as it has gradually decreased.
"The ratio of Kurds within the Iraqi army was 40 percent in the past. It is now very few to the point of almost none," he said. "I told Baghdad: 'Let us have the courage to say that the partnership failed.' "
This is a developing story. Last updated at 1:15 p.m.
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