Responding to the statement by Secretary Tillerson who had announced that “The U.S. does not recognize the independence referendum”, Spokesperson of the Southern Kurdistan Region Presidency said: “We deeply disappointed in the statement.”
Last Friday, Sept. 29, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced that the United States does not recognize the Kurdistan Regional Government’s unilateral referendum held on Sept. 25. Tillerson pointed out that “the vote and the results lack legitimacy and we continue to support a united, federal, democratic and prosperous Iraq.”
Tillerson stated that: "We remain concerned about the potential negative consequences of this unilateral step. Prior to the vote, we worked with both the KRG and the central government in Baghdad to pursue a more productive framework and to promote stability and prosperity for the people of the Kurdistan region. These aspirations, ultimately, cannot be advanced through unilateral measures such as this referendum.
We urge calm and an end to vocal recriminations and threats of reciprocal actions. We urge Iraqi Kurdish authorities to respect the constitutionally-mandated role of the central government and we call upon the central government to reject threats or even allusion to possible use of force. The United States asks all parties, including Iraq’s neighbors, to reject unilateral actions and the use of force."
As debates on the independence referendum continue, so do the pressures against the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) which has responded to the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who declared the vote “illegitimate”.
A statement by Spokesperson of the Kurdistan Region Presidency, Omed Sabah said that: “The people of Kurdistan, who have consistently and enthusiastically supported the United States, especially more recently in its fight against ISIS and Saddam Hussein, are deeply disappointed in the statement by Secretary Tillerson on Friday.”
The statement pointed out that: “Although we appreciate the United States' call for a nonviolent response to the referendum, neither the United States nor any other country has stopped Baghdad's unconstitutional and illegal mistreatment of the Kurds, which has continued since 2005 when we adopted the Constitution.”
Spokesperson of the Kurdistan Region Presidency stated that they hoped in the coming days the United States would re-evaluate its position and support wholeheartedly the legitimate aspirations of the people of the Kurdistan Region as well as participate in the peaceful negotiation between Erbil and Baghdad.
