The US warns Kurds no chance of Iraq talks if vote holds

World
Europe

The United States proclaimed on Wednesday it may not be able to help Iraq's Kurds negotiate a better deal with the Iraqi government if they go ahead with their planned independence vote.

Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region is to hold a referendum on formally splitting from Iraq on Sept 25, despite fierce opposition from Baghdad and its neighbors like Saudi Arabia.

Kurds celebrate to show their support for the upcoming September 25th independence referendum in Sulaimania, Iraq September 20, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Saudi Arabia "looks forward to the wisdom and experience" of Kurdistan Regional Government leader Massoud Barzani not go ahead with the plan, Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday, citing an official source in a statement.

Washington has traditionally been a friend to the Kurds, and in some parts of the region relies on Kurdish militia fighters in its wars against jihadist extremists.

But the US fears the vote will disrupt the campaign against the ISIL and destabilize Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's government.

High-level US envoys have beaten a path to Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani's door to persuade him to call off the referendum and negotiate a better autonomy deal instead.

"The United States urges Iraqi Kurdish leaders to accept the alternative, which is a serious and sustained dialogue with the central government, facilitated by the United States and United Nations, and other partners, on all matters of concern, including the future of the Baghdad-Erbil relationship," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

Iraqi Kurdish President Masoud Barzani speaks to the crowd while attending a rally to show their support for the upcoming September 25th independence referendum in Sulaimania, Iraq September 20, 2017. /Reuters Photo‍

"If this referendum is conducted, it is highly unlikely that there will be negotiations with Baghdad, and the above international offer of support for negotiations will be foreclosed," she said.

The spokeswoman acknowledged the Kurds have "legitimate grievances," but argued these would be better addressed in US and UN-mediated talks and reiterated that the US is "strongly opposed" to the referendum.

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency