ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Declaring that independence “is not a threat to anyone,” Kurdish President Masoud Barzani congratulated his people for Newroz, the new year festivities celebrated by Kurds and others. Referring to the autonomous Kurdistan Region’s most pressing issues – his presidency, the war with the Islamic State (ISIS), an economic crisis and aspirations of Kurdish independence opposed by Iraq’s central government in Baghdad – Barzani reassured his people that their economic woes would end soon. Referring to long-running rows with Baghdad over independence, oil exports and the payments that the central government has refused to make to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) out of the national budget, Barzani stressed that things must change. “We have two options before us: either we forget the struggles and sacrifices of our people over the last 100 years, or the current situation and nature of our relationship with Baghdad must change,” he added. “We will not accept to be subordinates to Baghdad, and Baghdad does not accept our partnership. Independence for Kurdistan is a peaceful call and is not a threat to anyone," said Barzani. He said that a referendum on independence, whose date has not been fixed, will be held after serious talks with Baghdad. "We want to reach an amicable agreement with Baghdad on this question through mutual understanding. Before holding the referendum, the Kurdistan Region will engage in a serious and frank dialogue with Baghdad on our disputes and relationship,” he added. Referring to his own presidency, which has extended beyond the fixed term, he repeated a call on political parties to end the current political impasse, saying the best way forward is to reactivate the parliament, elect its new presidency and form a new cabinet. Barzani also sent his best wishes to the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, praising their fight in a war that began in August 2014 after the militants attacked Kurdistan. He reassured Kurds that economic woes, exacerbated by the war and the influx of some 1.8 million refugees from other parts of Iraq and war-torn Syria, would not last. “The economic crisis will not last and the reform package that has been announced will soon deliver positive results, and will help ease the economic crisis,” he said in a message published by his office. Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has asked for an extension to his presidency, citing the war with ISIS and the grinding economic crisis. The iconic Kurdish leader has been president since 2005, an extension would be his second since 2013. The issue has polarized the Kurdish enclave’s politics and people. Those favoring Barzani staying on believe that with Kurdistan at war it is a poor time to hold elections. The Kurdish government has been under severe financial strain for almost two years after Baghdad blocked its share of the national budget and the sharp decline in oil prices which is the main source of revenue for Erbil. Barzani also expressed his “deep concern” over escalating violence in neighboring Turkey. He said he welcomed a “federal solution” for Syria. “I support the proposed federal solution for the future of the country and all sides must come to agreement for this to succeed,” he said.
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