Barzani refuses to suspend non-binding KRG referendum

RaqKurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani reiterated that the non-binding independence referendum scheduled for Sept. 25 would go ahead as planned. In a meeting with Special Representative of the United Nations in Iraq, Jan Kubis, Barzani stated that “the referendum was the purest form of democracy”. Barzani also said the KRG was open to dialogue with Baghdad and they could negotiate border and other issues in a peaceful atmosphere, away from conflict. Baghdad, however, rejects the planned poll, saying it will adversely affect the fight against Daesh, which still maintains a significant presence in northern Iraq. The Iraqi government also believes that holding the poll would violate the terms of the country’s 2005 constitution. Turkey also rejects the planned referendum, saying the region’s stability depends on the maintenance of Iraq’s unity and territorial integrity.