N.Iraq Kurds refuse to nullify illegitimate poll

By Idris Okuducu

ERBIL, Iraq

Two major Kurdish political parties in northern Iraq on Sunday refused to nullify the results of last month’s illegitimate referendum, a Kurdish official said.

The news follow a meeting in Sulaymaniyah between Iraqi President Fuad Masum and the two parties, the KDP of Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani and the PUK.

“KDP/PUK reject any demands to nullify the referendum results. Refuse preconditions,” Hemein Hawrami, a top aide to Barzani, posted in English on Twitter.

The Kurdish region is ready “to reach peaceful resolution for current standoff in all area. [And] Rejecting military option, but ready to defend,” Hawrami said, referring to the situation in Kirkuk, an area disputed between the KRG and Iraq’s central government in Baghdad.

He added: “There will not be any unilateral negotiation with Baghdad by either PUK or KDP. If there be any negotiation with Baghdad, it will be a joint delegation representing all Kurdistan parties.”

The Sept. 25 illegitimate referendum was strongly opposed by most regional and international actors -- including the U.S., Turkey, and Iran -- who warned that the poll would distract from Iraq’s fight against terrorism and further destabilize the region.

By Idris Okuducu

ERBIL, Iraq

Two major Kurdish political parties in northern Iraq on Sunday refused to nullify the results of last month’s illegitimate referendum, a Kurdish official said.

The news follow a meeting in Sulaymaniyah between Iraqi President Fuad Masum and the two parties, the KDP of Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani and the PUK.

“KDP/PUK reject any demands to nullify the referendum results. Refuse preconditions,” Hemein Hawrami, a top aide to Barzani, posted in English on Twitter.