KRG official suggests tri-state solution for post-ISIS Iraq
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq should be divided into three parts after the Islamic State (ISIS) militants are driven out of the country, said the head of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Security Council in an interview.
Masrour Barzani, who is also the son of KRG President Masoud Barzani, told Reuters during an interview that the lack of trust between Shias, Sunnis and Kurds is so very big that in order to bring back stability and peace to Iraq, the three parts must split or coexist in a confederation system.
"Federation hasn't worked, so it has to be either confederation or full separation," Barzani said. "If we have three confederated states, we will have equal three capitals, so one is not above the other."
Not only has violence in Iraq increased since the emergence of ISIS, the country has also been witnessing years of political deadlock, sectarian violence and high levels of corruption.
"What we are offering is a solution," Barzani said. "This doesn't mean they live under one roof but they can be good neighbors. Once they feel comfortable that they have a bright and secure future, they can start cooperating with each other."
His father, Masoud Barzani, has also stressed in the past years the rights of individual nations, noting that people have to be consulted whether they want to live within existing borders or separate.
"No resolution can be imposed and any new resolution now has to be made through referendum," which is a gesture of democracy, the president has said.
President Barzani has also declared that a referendum on the matter of an independent Kurdistan will happen before the American presidential election in November.
Masrour Barzani, who is also the son of KRG President Masoud Barzani, told Reuters during an interview that the lack of trust between Shias, Sunnis and Kurds is so very big that in order to bring back stability and peace to Iraq, the three parts must split or coexist in a confederation system.
"Federation hasn't worked, so it has to be either confederation or full separation," Barzani said. "If we have three confederated states, we will have equal three capitals, so one is not above the other."
Not only has violence in Iraq increased since the emergence of ISIS, the country has also been witnessing years of political deadlock, sectarian violence and high levels of corruption.
"What we are offering is a solution," Barzani said. "This doesn't mean they live under one roof but they can be good neighbors. Once they feel comfortable that they have a bright and secure future, they can start cooperating with each other."
His father, Masoud Barzani, has also stressed in the past years the rights of individual nations, noting that people have to be consulted whether they want to live within existing borders or separate.
"No resolution can be imposed and any new resolution now has to be made through referendum," which is a gesture of democracy, the president has said.
President Barzani has also declared that a referendum on the matter of an independent Kurdistan will happen before the American presidential election in November.