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President Barzani Welcomes UK Foreign Secretary William Hague in Salahaddin

Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, President Masoud Barzani welcomed United King-dom’s Foreign Secretary William Hague in Salahaddin on Friday. During the meet-ing the President and Foreign Secretary discussed the latest political and security developments in Iraq following the latest ISIS advances in Mosul and other areas in Iraq. Mr. Hague, Hague, in his first visit to Kurdistan, stated that unless Iraq’s politi-cal and security challenges are addressed urgently, the situation would further dete-riorate. He urged President Barzani and the KRG to play an active role in reviving the political process in Baghdad and help form a new government that is genuinely inclusive and representative. The Foreign Secretary also praised the

Kurdistan Region peshmerga forces for putting a stop to ISIS advances into the disputed areas. He also thanked the KRG for taking in large numbers of refugees fleeing from violence in Ninawa province and added that the UK government plans to help with this humanitarian effort. President Barzani briefed the Foreign Secretary about the causes of the cur-rent political and security crisis facing Iraq, blaming wrong policies by au-thorities in Baghdad. The President said that terrorists groups have been able exploit the mistakes by Baghdad. He agreed with the Foreign Secretary that priority should be given to political solutions, rather than military ones. The President reiterated that any solution must be in light of the current facts on the ground and that the Kurdistan Region would not pay the price for the failures of the policies of Baghdad. He went on to say that Baghdad has failed to work on the basis of real power-sharing in the past ten years which in turn has led to the current dangerous situation. In a joint press conference following their meeting, President Barzani said, “We tried from more than 10 years with Iraq to solve the Kirkuk issue. Peshmerga Forces have only been sent to those areas when the Iraqi army has withdrawn. They were sent to prevent a security vacuum. Article 140 of the constitution is implemented and finished and we won’t be talking about it.”

“We tried from more than 10 years with Iraq to solve the Kirkuk issue. Pesh-merga Forces have only been sent to those areas when the Iraqi army has withdrawn. They were sent to prevent a security vac-uum. Article 140 of the constitution is imple-mented and finished and we won’t be talking about it.”

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President Barzani Welcomes US Secretary of State John Kerry in Erbil Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, - President Masoud Barzani welcomed United States Secretary of State John Kerry in Erbil today. During the meet-ing the President and Secretary Kerry discussed the latest political and secu-rity developments in Iraq following the latest ISIS advances in Mosul and other areas in Iraq. John Kerry focused on the urgency for Iraqis to rid Iraq of ISIS and other terrorists.

The Secretary of State made reference to the fact that the Kurdistan Region has achieved remarkable progress in the past ten years and urged other Iraqis to look up to Kurdistan for what they have achieved. John Kerry added that the Obama administration is

closely following the events in Iraq and is concerned about the spread and strengthening of terrorism in Iraq. He also expressed his country's support for a new inclusive government in Baghdad which would rep-resent all of the components of the Iraqi society.

For his part President Barzani reiterated his gratitude to the govern-ment and people of the United States for their sacrifices and continuous support for Iraq. During the meeting the President outlined the various stages in the political process of the past decade in Iraq and noted that our allies have failed to implement the Constitution and subsequent agreements. The President added that the Kurdistan Region has dem-onstrated great flexibility and has always been ready to address the is-sues, but these issues have recently been worsened and that we have collectively failed to resolve them.

President Barzani said, "We believe that Baghdad is trying to margin-alize us, as was the case with the previous regime, but the people of Kurdistan have made great sacrifices for their freedom and they would never accept this subjugation."

On the fight against terrorist groups, the President stated, "The people of Kurdistan are against terrorism in all shapes and forms and have been the victims of terrorism themselves, but the fight against terrorism has been a pretext for sectarian rivalries and we cannot be part of this. The Peshmerga forces are responsible for the protection of Kurdistan and there have been constant threats from terrorist groups and the Pesh-merga forces have made sacrifices and they are always ready to confront these threats.”

President Barzani further added, “Any solution to the current crisis in Iraq ought to be on the basis of the new realities. If there still is an opportunity for Shias and Sunnis to work together based on the new reali-ties, then it would be much easier to confront the terrorists. "

Secretary Kerry urged the President to continue his leadership role in the Iraqi political process and added that if there is progress in the political process, the United States would then assist Iraq in its fight against terrorism.

President Barzani and Secretary Kerry emphasized on the need for political solutions prior to military solutions.

"We believe that Bagh-dad is trying to marginal-ize us, as was the case

with the previous re-gime, but the people of Kurdistan have made

great sacrifices for their freedom and they would

never accept this subjugation."

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President Barzani Meets Turkey’s Leaders

Ankara, Turkey, - President Barzani and a senior Kurdistan Re-gional Government delegation was welcomed by Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the President of Turkey Abdullah Gul in Ankara in 14th July 2014. President Barzani and Turkey’s leaders discussed the latest security and political developments in Iraq, particularly the situation in Mo-sul following the ISIS seizure last June. President Barzani reiterated his stance of attempting to change the status quo in Iraq and defending the Kurdistan Region from any threats by ISIS and their affiliates. During the meeting President Barzani also expressed his gratitude for Turkey’s con-tinued support and hoped for even more enhanced bilateral rela-tions between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey. Prime Minister Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul expressed their support for the Kurdistan Region and the positions of

President Barzani on the security matters in Iraq, adding that there must be an end to the current crisis in Iraq as soon as possible.

Barzani to Iran: We won’t stay in Iraq’s line of fire Kurdo Shaban BasNews, Erbil

Kurdish President Masoud Barzani told Secretary Assistant to Iran’s National Security Dr. Raza Amir: “Six months before the Is-lamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) controlled Mosul we had already warned Baghdad.”

On Tuesday Barzani met Dr. Amir in Erbil and they discussed the cur-rent situation in Iraq and political process as well as the formation of the new government in Baghdad.

Dr. Amir talked about the role of Barzani and the Kurdistan Region in Iraq and expressed hoped that soon the problems in Iraq would be solved and come to an end.

In the meeting, Barzani pointed out that Kurdistan Region is a peaceful place for all peoples and religions and attributed Baghdad’s authoritarian policies to the recent developments in Iraq.

Barzani also stressed that Kurdistan could not remain in the line of fire of Iraq’s sectarian violence and they would not put up with bad administration, violation of the constitution and authoritarian rule of Baghdad.

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President Barzani asks Parliament to begin work on referendum Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdi-stan Region President Masoud Barzani visited the Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament yesterday, requesting the Parliament to immediately undertake the task of creating an independent electoral commission for the Region, and to begin preparations for holding a referendum for the people of Kurdistan to decide their future. In his remarks to the Parliament, the President urged Members of Parliament to “promptly create an independent electoral commission and to begin preparations for holding a referendum to determine the future, as this would strengthen our hand. The time has come for us to determine our future; we should no longer wait for oth-ers to determine our future. In the mean-time, we will do whatever we can to help Shia and Sunnis to save the country from this crisis.”

The President stated that the wrong policies of the Iraqi government and the collapse of the Iraqi Army have caused the current security crisis in the governorates of Anbar, Ninewa, Salahaddin, and Diyala. He said that four days prior to the events in Mosul the KRG offered to cooperate with Baghdad to confront the terrorist groups, but this was rejected by Baghdad. Regarding the deployment of Peshmerga forces to the disputed areas, the President said that all of these areas are now under the control of Peshmerga forces. He added, “The Peshmerga forces are there to protect the people of those areas and they will not be pres-

sured into withdrawing. We will protect these areas and we are also ready to help both Shia and Sunnis to save them from this crisis, but this can only be achieved with new people who believe in co-existence, democracy, and the Constitution. This cannot be done with people who have destroyed the country.”

Iraqi Kurds seek independence but with voice in Baghdad Top Kurdish officials walked a rhetorical tightrope Wednesday, telling a Washington audience that they are pushing for an independent state while not closing off ties with the embattled central government in Baghdad, as Iraq's prime minister warned that al Qaeda-inspired militants posed a threat to every country in the region. Three days after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant formally declared an Islamic state spanning the border be-tween Syria and Iraq, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki warned that no "neighboring country will be safe" if the group isn't stopped. Amid increasing signs that Iraq is splitting into three autonomous sections, Mr. al-Maliki pleaded Wednesday with the nation's Sunni tribal leaders, many of whom have aligned with ISIL during recent weeks, to "return to their senses" and join his attempt to create a more inclusive government in Baghdad. His calls offered a stark contrast to the remarks by two senior Kurdish officials who traveled to Washington, claiming that the leadership of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish Regional Government remains committed to the attempts to form a new government in the Iraqi capital but is aware of realities on the ground. Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani, stressed that Iraq already has become divided into "three states with three different systems" as a result of the violent surge by Sunni extremists over the past three weeks. "You have got a government in Baghdad, which is not functioning, you have got an Islamic state, which is against Kurdistan and against Baghdad — and you have got Kurdistan," said Mr. Hussein, who appeared with Falah Mustafa Bakir, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government's department of foreign relations. Speaking before an audience at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Mr. Hussein said 80 percent of the Iraqi military had collapsed in recent weeks. He stressed that the Peshmerga militia will defend Kurdish areas from attempted incursions by Islamic state extrem-ists. Mr. Hussein and Mr. Bakir said Kurdish leaders plan "to follow two paths."

“The Peshmerga forces are there to protect the people of those areas and they will not be pressured into withdraw-ing. We will protect these ar-eas and we are also ready to help both Shia and Sunnis to

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"One path [is] helping the government to be established in Baghdad; the other path is to establish ourself, to have an independent economic life, to strengthen our forces, Peshmerga forces, to protect our area, to protect our people ," said Mr. Hussein. "We hope that people here in Washington understand that these two paths are not contradicting each other."

Forming a government The Iraqi parliament met Tuesday for the first time since April elections, but hopes to form a new government faded when Sunni and Kurdish political representatives walked out after less than two hours. Mr. al-Maliki, whose Shiite political allies won the most seats in the elections, expressed hope for a quick resolution when par-liament meets again next week. However, the embattled prime minister, who has held the post since 2006, is being pressed to step aside. Many observers in the West, including officials from the Obama administration, argue that his Shiite-dominated government has stoked the Sunni extremist insurgency gripping Iraq. Sunnis and Kurds accuse Mr. al-Maliki of attempting to monopolize power and demand that he be replaced. Although Mr. al-Maliki has shown no willingness to bow out, there has been significant political jockeying for a potential replacement. One name that has surfaced repeatedly in recent days is Ahmad Chalabi, who led the lobbying for the 2003 U.S. military invasion of Iraq and who was an early favorite of President George W. Bush to succeed the ousted Saddam Hussein. Mr. Chalabi fell out of favor in Washington when it was found that he fed U.S. officials faulty intelligence about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs, but his Iraqi National Congress party has remained a factor in Iraqi politics. Although the party now holds just one seat in Iraq's parliament, news reports say Mr. Chalabi, a self-proclaimed secular Shiite, is a potential player whom Iraqi Sunnis, Kurds and Shiites might agree on to replace Mr. al-Maliki.

U.S. Efforts In Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Wednesday that the initial failure of Iraq's parliament to choose new leaders this week was "an indica-tion that that process is not off to a good start." Mr. Earnest said the Obama administration is holding out hope for the quick forma-tion of a new government that can tackle the rising threat posed by the Sunni ex-tremists. He also said Vice President Joseph R. Biden had phoned Osama al-Nujaifi, a Sunni who previously served as the speaker of Iraq's parliament. Mr. Biden is "talking to people who might have some influence over the ability of Iraq's political leaders to come together and make the formation of an inclusive government a priority," Mr. Earnest said. President Obama, meanwhile, called King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to discuss the Iraq crisis. Mr. Obama also thanked the king for Saudi Arabia's pledge of $500 million in aid to Iraqis who have been displaced by the violence. Tens of thousands have sought refuge in the relative calm of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, according to the Kurdish envoys. Kurdistan fought for autonomy from Baghdad when Saddam was in power, but territorial boundaries remain uncertain. Kurdish minorities can be found in Turkey, Syria and Iran, all of which have aggressively opposed the idea of an independent Kurdish state. "At the end of the day, even if we go down the road to independence, we want international recognition," Mr. Bakir said. "We do understand that without the support of the neighboring countries, or at least some of them, without the support of some of the main powers in the world, the United States included, we cannot have it survive," Mr. Bakir said. By Guy Taylor-The Washington Times

Mr. Hussein and Mr. Bakir said Kurdish leaders plan "to follow

two paths." "One path [is] helping the gov-ernment to be established in

Baghdad; the other path is to es-tablish ourself, to have an inde-

pendent economic life, to strengthen our forces, Pesh-

merga forces, to protect our area, to protect our people ," said Mr. Hussein. "We hope that people here in Washington understand

that these two paths are not con-tradicting each other."

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UK Foreign Secretary meets Prime Minister Barzani in first visit to Kurdistan Erbil, Kurdistan – UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and his accompanying delegation paid a visit to Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani last week dur-ing his first official visit to Kurdistan. Secretary Hague conveyed his country’s eagerness to continue strengthening ties with the Kurdistan Region and the importance of ensuring a long-term, strategic relationship. Both sides stressed the importance of improving bilateral relations between Erbil and Lon-don in various fields. Prime Minister Barzani and a high-level delegation visited London in May. The officials discussed the latest security and military developments in Iraq after the seizure of Mosul by terrorists earlier this month. They also discussed ef-forts made to address the problems in Iraq, stressing the need for a new political process that includes all of the different political forces in genuine partner-ship. Prime Minister Barzani explained that the developments have completely changed the situation in Iraq, and any solution to solve the problems must be based on the new reality. He emphasised that the problems are political in nature, and therefore effective solutions must be primarily political, as military and armed struggle will not resolve underlying causes. In a joint press conference with Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani, Secretary Hague said, "Kurdish security forces are playing an important role in holding ISIL back, and have already made many sacrifices in this vital struggle. We stand with you in rejecting the vile crimes of terrorists." Secretary Hague was accompanied by the British Ambassador to Iraq, Simon Collis, the British Consul General in Kurdistan, Hugh Evans, and a number of officials from his Foreign Office.

Prime Minister Barzani: Future relations between Erbil and Baghdad require a new mechanism Erbil, Kurdistan – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received the United Kingdom’s new Consul General to the Kurdistan Region, Mr. Angus McKee. They discussed the relationship between the United Kingdom and the KRG as well as current political issues. The Prime Minister congratulated the Consul General and wished him success in his new position. Consul General McKee expressed his pleas-ure in taking up his post in Kurdistan. United Kingdom – Kurdistan Region relations The Consul General discussed the relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom, explaining that Prime Minister Bar-zani’s visit to London and British Foreign Secretary William Hague’s visit to Erbil will help solidify strong, mutually beneficial ties, including between the two governments and among private companies, universi-ties, and citizens. Mr. McKee indicated that the Prime Minister’s visit to London would serve as a catalyst to foster stronger relations, expressing hope that both sides remain dedicated to the development of the relationship. He assured the Prime Minister that the United Kingdom is committed to the agreements made during that visit. Prime Minister Barzani highlighted the Kurdistan Region’s strategic relationship with the United Kingdom, also pointing to the importance of the exchange of high-level visits. He reaffirmed that the KRG attaches special consideration to its ties with the United Kingdom and remains committed to developing and bolstering relations. Political issues The new Consul General applauded the broad-based character of the KRG’s eighth cabinet, evidence that the Kurdistan Region is heading in the right direction. During the meeting both sides pointed to the latest developments in Iraq, including the political process. Prime Minister Barzani emphasised that everything has changed in the last several weeks, and in light of these develop-ments, relations between Erbil and Baghdad must be viewed in a different manner. He explained that the KRG supports the po-litical process in Iraq, which needs to progress so that a framework for coexistence and a mechanism to define future relations between Erbil and Baghdad can be established. The Prime Minister added that the threat of terrorism presents a grave danger to all sides. He stated that Iraq is today witnessing the beginning of a new phase and that the nature of the issues at stake has changed. This must be taken into account when con-sidering the current situation. Both sides discussed the situation of the internally displaced people who have fled Mosul and other parts of Iraq to seek safe haven in Kurdistan. The Consul General reaffirmed that his country has in the past provided assistance to refugees and internally displaced and would continue to cooperate in order to help the displaced people through logistical assistance and through the transfer of expertise and experience in coping with the crisis.

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Kurdish Official Calls for Defense Support from Western Allies London – A senior Kurdish official has called on Britain and other Western states to give greater defense and intelligence support to the Kurdistan Regional Govern-ment (KRG), to help it secure a 1,000 kilo-meter border with the self-proclaimed Is-lamic State. The appeal came in evidence given in the British Parliament on Tuesday by Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the KRG’s high rep-resentative in the United Kingdom. “Kurdistan is at the frontline against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS),” Rahman told the Parliament’s Foreign Af-fairs Committee. “If we are to keep that frontline stable, we need much more assis-tance.” She said restrictions on the direct supply of defense equipment to the KRG region were hampering the ability of the Pesh-merga to confront the threats faced by the Kurdistan Region. “Western countries, including the United States, and Eastern countries are very focused on keeping Iraq as one state and they see defense equipment for Kurdistan as undermining Baghdad,” she said. Rahman, whose post makes her effectively Kurdistan’s ambassador in London, said the Kurds were Britain’s ally in the fight against terrorism and extremism. However, Britain refused to supply defense items such as electronic jamming equipment to the KRG without end-user certificates issued by the Iraqi government. Baghdad refused to issue such certificates if the equipment was destined for Kurdistan. “Other European governments accept KRG certificates,” she said. “This means that the KRG is procuring these goods elsewhere when we and Britain are in a common fight against terrorism.” Outlining the kind of help the KRG required, Rahman said: “We would welcome intelligence to help us target our response. There are many ways our friends in the West can assist us.” The committee session was the second in a series in which MPs are examining Brit-ain’s relationship with the KRG, and the first since Mosul fell last month to ISIS, which has since changed its name to Islamic State (IS). Asked by Nadhim Zahawi, a Kurdish-born Conservative MP, about Kurdistan’s po-sition on the borderline of a conflict between Sunnis and Shiites, Rahman assured the committee: “We are determined that we will not be dragged into a religious con-flict.” A second witness, Peter Galbraith, a former US diplomat and adviser to the KRG, said recent events meant that Iraq had effectively ceased to exist as a single unified state. “If the state cannot defend itself, Kurdistan must defend itself,” he said. He predicted that 95-98 percent of Kurds would vote for independence in a referen-dum and that Kurdistan “will declare itself independent sometime in the next year.” Speaking from the perspective of the US’s first ambassador to Croatia in the 1990s, he said Western countries were in danger of repeating past mistakes in which their attempts to hold together the former Yugoslavia proved more destructive than recog-nizing the desire of its communities to break free. “It is better to see people have self-determination than keep hold of a state by brutal force,” he said. A third witness, Ali Allawi, a former Iraqi trade minister, urged Kurds not to abandon the possibility of establishing a truly fed-eral Iraq. Describing the idea of Kurdish independence as “a leap into the dark,” he said: “The way the world is going a federal system is where we should go, rather than 19th century nationalism.” The British MPs will hold further hearings before preparing a report to Parliament.

“The Kurds were Britain’s ally in the fight against terrorism

and extremism. However, Britain refused to supply de-

fense items such as elec-tronic jamming equipment to

the KRG without end-user certificates issued by the

Iraqi government. Baghdad refused to issue such certifi-cates if the equipment was

destined for Kurdistan. Other European governments ac-cept KRG certificates. This means that the KRG is pro-curing these goods else-

where when we and Britain are in a common fight

against terrorism.”

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Barzani: “We need the international community’s support to cope with terrorism” The Chancellor of Kurdistan Re-gion Security Council Masrour Barzani, received a UK Parlia-mentary delegation led by Conser-vative Party’s Tobias Ellwood, which included Lord Morris from the Labour Party and Gary Kent of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kurdistan. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged their views of the secu-rity situation in some parts of Iraq and the cities of Mosul and Kirkuk,. Mr Barzani said a significant secu-rity vacuum in many parts of the country is taking place because of recent terrorist attacks, especially in the provinces bordering Kurdistan, which abandoned its security insti-tutions. He said, "The armed groups not only threaten the region and Iraq, but also represents a major threat to all the countries in the west and the Middle East, so we need support from the international community to cope with terrorism, provided that such support is not against Iraq or components be biased to one at the expense of others.” Protecting Kurdistan from threats and to ensure the safety of its citizens were other aspects of their meet-ing, in addition to the crisis in neighbouring Syria where over a 250,000 people are seeking refuge in the region.

Kurdistan Region Presidency Condemns ISIS Acts Against Mosul's Christians Salahadin, Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- In a state-ment released by the Spokesperson of the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the acts of the terrorist group in Mosul, ISIS against the city's Christians were strongly condemned. The statement stated that the terrorist group had engaged in acts of violence against the Christians of Mosul. These acts, according to the Spokesperson have caused a number of deaths among Christians, additionally, large numbers of Christians have fled to the Kurdi-stan Region, in hope of finding a safe place to live. Dr. Omid Sabah, the Spokesperson of the Kurdistan Region Presidency concluded his statement by calling upon the interna-tional community to assist the Kurdistan Region so that there can be more systemic avenues of supporting the Christians of the Mosul.

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Hawrami receives delegation from Japanese embassy in Iraq for talks on po-litical process in Kurdistan AT a meeting to discuss the current political situation in Iraq and on the latest develop-ments in the Kurdistan Re-gion, Hemin Hawrami re-ceived both undersecretaries from the Japanese embassy in Iraq, Mr Takish Ota and Mr Masayoki Takahashi. On the crisis in Iraq, the head of Kurdistan Democratic Party’s foreign relations office said the Peshmerga forces have been deployed to protect the region’s borders and to protect its citizens from recent terrorist attacks that have been the cause of Iraq’s downward spiral. Mr Hawrami thanked the State of Japan's pledge of $6 million for refugees in Kurdistan by the ‘Japan In-ternational Cooperation Agency’. Mr Nashida praised the efforts of President Masoud Barzani in aiding the refuges as he described Kurdistan as a safe-zone from terrorist and sectarian violence. The delegation also applauded the stability in Kurdi-stan, which inspired them to encourage Japanese investment in the region.

Hawrami on Kurds’ right to self-determination and relations with Baghdad Hawrami received a US consulate delega-tion led by deputy Consular Steven and Willard Simms to discuss the issues in Kurdistan and Iraq. The head of Kurdistan Democratic Party’s foreign relations office highlighted politi-cal developments occurring in Iraq, and said the Kurds would not back-down on a referendum to establish Kurdistan inde-pendence. Mr Hawrami also stressed on the partici-pation of Kurdish blocs in political meetings Hemin in Baghdad, substantiated to divest Iraqi premier Nouri al-Maliki from power, where the Kurds would not be prepared to discuss the issue of Kirkuk, oil and gas disputes or Article 140 of the Constitution. The US delegation expressed their understanding of the Kurdistan peoples’ position and of its leadership Kurdistan Region Presidency Condemns ISIS Acts Against Mosul's Christians Salahadin, Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- In a statement released by the Spokesperson of the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the acts of the terrorist group in Mosul, ISIS against the city's Christians were strongly condemned. The statement stated that the terrorist group had engaged in acts of violence against the Christians of Mosul. These acts, according to the Spokesperson have caused a number of deaths among Christians, additionally, large numbers of Christians have fled to the Kurdistan Region, in hope of finding a safe place to live. Dr. Omid Sabah, the Spokesperson of the Kurdistan Region Presidency concluded his statement by calling upon the international community to assist the Kurdistan Region so that there can be more systemic ave-nues of supporting the Christians of the Mosul.

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Alistair Burt MP: Amidst the turmoil of Iraq, my hopes for Kurdistan As Britain’s Minister for the Middle East, I twice visited the Kurdistan Region in Iraq but flying in and out of its capital, Erbil, for back-to-back ministerial meetings takes you from one office to another. Returning as a backbencher on a recent all-party delegation enabled me to see the bigger picture of a region in rapid transition and one that could do much to help resolve the current crisis in Mosul. My official visits were confined to Erbil which, by all accounts, is a fast-changing and increasingly comfortable and cosmopolitan city. Most people would assume that Kurdistan is hot, dry and dusty. But between the bustling cit-ies are vast, verdant and arable plains between rivers, waterfalls, canyons and snow-capped mountains: a new ski resort has recently opened. The historic basis of Kurdish society was its villages, but thousands were destroyed by Saddam. Many were attacked with chemical weapons. The single biggest chemical weapons attack in history was inflicted in 1988 on Halabja, where thousands died instantly and many more were injured in body and in mind. We drove long and winding roads through the mountains to visit Balisan, the first village attacked with chemical weapons. Village elders convened a chat with chai to describe the attack. A Kurdish woman told us that she attended the trial of Saddam to tell him to his face what his troops had done. He had no answers or shame. The Kurds cannot forget the past and need to ensure that the world remembers. Last year, they made the case for formally recognising that what Saddam inflicted on them was genocide. The British Parliament did so. As the responsible Minister, I had to tell my fellow MPs in that debate that the government couldn’t do this because of a long-standing policy that such decisions are best taken judicially rather than politically. That doesn’t mean we ignore the enormity of the injustice. I suggested and my successor, Hugh Robertson, agreed that the British Government formally join the recent annual commemoration of the genocide, as I am sure it will from now on. Acknowledging the past helps the Kurds to build their future, and not just for themselves. Kurdish history and geography give it a potentially vital role in the Middle East. The Kurdistan Region is at the cross-roads of the Shia-Sunni conflict, yet remains outside of it and is neutral. It is a majority Muslim country, but with a successful history of peaceful co-existence with Christians and people of other faiths and nationalities. This is why so many see it as sanctuary. The world should be deeply impressed by the successful efforts to turn Turkey from a foe into a friend. That it is based on commerce, and Turkey’s need for Kurdish oil and gas supplies on its doorstep means makes it more durable. Kurdish energy, which has only come online in recent years, can also become part of a benign equation. Its energy revenues can drive a vast programme of new infrastructure and better public services, as well as di-versifying its economy so it is not dangerously reliant on one source of income. Kurdish energy can allow Turkey to become a hub, and make the supply of energy more diverse and secure to Europe and the UK. We can also reduce our dependence on Russia. It can also lift the economic hopes of Turkish Kurds and help consolidate the peace process in Turkey. The rapprochement with Turkey took time and courage. I also hope that the current rift between the Kurds and some in Baghdad will be healed. The worrying and puzzling decision by the Iraqi Prime Minister to unilaterally and arbitrarily cut federal budget payments, which was never done even by Saddam, is unac-ceptable and should be reversed. The Kurds say that the recent first sale of oil via the pipeline to Turkey is allowed under the Iraqi constitu-tion, and are ready to engage in negotiating a reliable and transparent settlement for exporting oil and shar-ing the revenues, with 83 per cent going to Baghdad. A negotiated settlement should recognise that success for Kurdistan is success for Iraq as a whole. Attempts to punish Kurdistan are entirely counter-productive. Active American and wider diplomacy is urgently needed before this needless dispute becomes entrenched and the Kurds decide that their options within Iraq are futile.

Britain is a partner of choice for the Kurds – I know that English is the unofficial second language there – and more needs to be done to ensure that we maximise our cultural and commercial connections for mutual

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benefit. The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee is currently examining UK relations with the Kurdistan Region, which is keen to overcome decades of isolation. I hope that their report convinces more British companies and public institutions that they are very welcome in Kurdistan, as it overcomes a tragic past and makes a positive contribution for its own people, the rest of Iraq and indeed the wider Middle East and world. The urgent priority is to help Kurdistan cope with the influx of refugees from Mosul and for Kurdish forces to be supported in overcoming the scourge of ISIS. These jihadists have exploited differences between Shia, Sunnis and Kurds within Iraq. Now is the time to heal those wounds and that means just treatment for the most successful part of Iraq, its Kurdistan Region. Alistair Burt is MP for North East Bedfordshire, a former Foreign Office Minister with responsibility for the Middle East and a Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan Region in Iraq.

David Phillips: The trajectory of events in Iraq will result in the country’s fragmenta-tion and the emergence of the world’s newest nation -- “Iraqi Kurdistan.” David Phillips: The trajectory of events in Iraq will result in the country’s fragmentation and the emergence of the world’s newest nation -- “Iraqi Kurdistan.” Gulan: KRG has threatened SOMO customers and warned them of taking legal actions against buyers of Iraqi Oil as un-der article 112, KRG is entitled of 17% of overall Iraqi oil Sales. In case Iraqi federal government doesn’t provide the Kurdish share from the budget, KRG has the right to take this action and get its share from the buyers. Meanwhile Kurdish president has put the same condition for getting only 17% from the oil that Kurdistan sells through Turkey. How do you see the equation please? Don’t you agree that this step of KRG is very fair since it’s been for 7 months the salaries of Kurdish families have been cut from Baghdad? Philips: Baghdad suspended its commitments under Article 112 in January 2014. In fact, Baghdad always refused to distribute the full 17 percent to the KRG. Iraq’s Federal Court concluded that the KRG has a right to sell its oil. The KRG needs the revenue from oil sales to support its civil service and defend Iraqi Kurdistan against ISIS. Gulan: After Maliki’s accusing Erbil for hosting operation chamber for Da’ash, Al-Qaeda, and Baath, the Kurdistan regional presidential spokesman responded, and as a reaction the Kurdish Ministers will not go back to Baghdad, and there will be no Kurdish participation in Baghdad unless agreements are made in advance. So, how do you interpret these Maliki’s steps as he is driving the country towards the current crisis and collapse of Iraq? Philips: Maliki is more interested in holding onto power than reconciliation. He is a desperate man who has lost his balance and reason. His accusations are baseless. Maliki might think he’s gaining support from Shiites by attacking Iraqi Kurdistan, but he’s actually accelerating the disintegration of Iraq. Maliki has no one to blame but himself for disunity in Iraq. He is also responsible for Iraqi army’s failure to defend the country.

Philips: Iraq was a failing state. Now Iraq has no state. Maliki is an agent of Iran. ISIS controls a third of Iraq’s terri-tory. Sunni members of parliament cannot go home, or they’d be killed. The Governor of Nineveh Province is a refu-gee in Iraqi Kurdistan. The trajectory of events in Iraq will result in the country’s fragmentation and the emergence of the world’s newest nation -- “Iraqi Kurdistan.”

Gulan: Obviously, Iraqi parliament failed in nominating a prime minister, a president, and a speaker of the parliament, and these have been postponed to the middle of August. Meanwhile, John Kerry, the U.S. for-eign secretary and Ayatollah Al-Sistani, the Shiite Marja’ (religious reference), have asked to fulfill the is-sue of shaping the government within the first session of Parliament meeting. So it seems that nothing has

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an impact on the direction of events in Iraq. In your view, to what extent will the United States re-consider the situa-tion in Iraq? Is there any hope for Iraq? Gulan: The Obama administration thinks that the country’s problems can be solved by establishing a government of national unity. Its talking points are 10 years old. Washington needs to recognize the new reality in Iraq. Instead of placating its enemies, Washington should be working with its friends. The Kurds are America’s best and last friends in Iraq. Instead of obstructing Kurdistan’s independence, the United States should take the lead in a coordinated dec-laration of independence. Gulan: ISIS militants declared an Islamic state in Mosul, which is a terrorist state that doesn’t believe in borders, it considers itself as the state for all Muslims. Some experts mention that, what Bin-Laden couldn’t achieve, Abubakir Baghdadi has fulfilled. So, how to deal with this terrorist Islamic state? Philips: The peshmerga is only group that capable of confronting and ultimately destroying ISIS. The Peoples Pro-tection Forces of the PYD in Syria have also proven affective against ISIS. The U.S. should cooperate with the PYD and provide security assistance. The West has few friends in Syria. It should work with the PYD to stabilize the situation in Rojava as a launch point for stability and expanding pro-Western influence. Gulan: The only stable and quiet place remaining in Iraq is Kurdistan Region, which used to be part of Iraq but cur-rently it has no borders left with Iraq, it shares borders in the south with Islamic State, and Baghdad has applied all possible economic sanctions on Kurdistan region by cutting the Kurdish share in the budget, this has been ongoing for the last 7 months. This indicates that again Kurdistan region is not part of Iraq even in terms of economy. That is why Kurdish president is making preparations for referendum towards independency. The question in here is that; while nothing named Iraq has remained in reality, do you think Kurdistan region has another option rather than de-claring independency? Philips: No, independence is only way forward. The KRG should deepen its strategic partnership with Ankara. Tur-key benefits from Iraqi Kurdistan’s independence. Iraqi Kurdistan serves as a security buffer between Turkey and ISIS. Independence would enhance Turkey’s commercial and energy interests. It can also be part of a grand bargain between Turkey and the Kurds which includes greater political and cultural rights for Kurds in Turkey and an ar-rangement to decommission the PKK with amnesty for its senior commanders. Gulan: Obviously, no country in the world, including United States, is ready to send troops in order to defeat ISIS in Iraq and to end the Islamic state. Iraqi army is currently disintegrated and militias have power even in Baghdad, the only military force that has power to fight ISIS is Peshmarga forces of Kurdistan region. To what extent are U.S. and NATO member countries ready to assist Peshmarga forces for protecting Kurdistan region from ISIS threats? Philips: Since Baghdad rejected a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), Washington should consider a SOFA with the KRG. A small U.S. contingent could help train peshmerga, provide valuable intelligence, and deter attacks by ISIS. It would also send a signal to Iran that the United States is still relevant in the region. Gulan: America has lost Iraq and this is the fact, do you think it can win Kurdistan? Philips: I have a different view. For sure, the U.S. made mistakes. But Iraqis lost Iraq. There is no need for the United States to win Kurdistan. It has already won the hearts and minds of Kurds. The American people and Iraqi Kurds share a deep bond based on values and common interests.

understanding of the Kurdish desire for secession. Photo: AFP COPENHAGEN, Denmark – The European Parliament gave a tacit nod to Kurdish aspirations of independence on Thursday, when for the first time its motion over the Iraq conflict did not stipulate that the country must stay to-gether. Until now resolutions passed by European Union MPs, gathered in Brussels in the wake of the crisis in Iraq, had stressed: “Iraq’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity are essential for stability and economic development in the country and the region.” Dellawar Ajgeiy, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) representative in the European Union capital ex-pressed delight over that omission. "Until now, the European Parliament had stressed the importance of the unity of Iraq, but we feel that the reversal means they had to take account of the new realities," he said. "We think it is very positive, because one cannot dic-tate to Iraqis and Kurds something that is not in their interest."

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The joint motion took note of the an-nouncement by the KRG of a planned referendum for independence. The EU “appeals, however, to the parliament and the President of KRG, Massoud Barzani, to uphold an inclusive process in respect of the rights of the non-Kurdish minorities living in the prov-ince,” the motion said.

Rudaw has learnt that the United States, France, Italy, Britain, Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates are among states that have assured KRG officials they would show understand-ing, should Kurdistan declare independ-ence.

Various politicians in Europe have expressed their views on the issue.

“The Kurds, just like all people, have the right to decide themselves about their future, according to international law,” Annika Lillemets, member of the Swedish parliament for the Green Party, told Rudaw.

Earlier this week the British Ambassador to Turkey Richard Moore said the UK's stance on an independent Kurdi-stan is the “same as Turkey's,” and stressed the importance of Iraq’s territorial integrity.

“We think that what we need is a unified Iraq. We are very clear with the KRG that we recognized the need for them to protect their security," Moore said.

British MP Nadhim Zahawi believes that, since the fall of Mosul and about a third of Iraq to jihadi-led insurgents, Kurds now occupy a new world, and “there is no going back.”

“To return to greater centralization would be to fundamentally undo the gains that were so hard-won over the past decade, especially in Kurdistan,” he said.

But he added that breaking up Iraq would “not deliver stability, either.” He offered a new model of federalism.

“This model would recognize the realities on the ground and better serve the interests of all parties. It’s not a new concept, and has been used to recognize diversity in several other countries. In the UK, for example, we have been debating the greater devolution of powers to Scotland,” Zahawi said.

He added that during his rule Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had only made “a half-hearted attempt at decen-tralization. It’s now up to Iraq’s politicians to overcome their differences and construct a national platform.”

Ajgeiy, the KRG representative, confirmed that some European countries are skeptical about the prospect of an inde-pendent Kurdistan because they fear more instability. He said that fear was baseless.

"On the contrary, the KRG stands for security and stability in the region, with its good economy and energy re-sources. We are close to Europe, historically, culturally and in terms of democratic values."

Among his many meetings in Brussels, he has seen much sympathy from politicians who have an understanding of the Kurdish desire for secession.

"But there are also many politicians who do not say loud that their countries will accept Kurdish independence, be-cause they themselves have their own problems with breakaway regions," Ajgeiy said. He believes several European former Soviet republics would accept an independent Kurdistan.