US "strongly opposes" Iraqi Kurdish independence referendum

WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (KUNA) -- The United States said it opposed the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government's independence referendum and urged serious sustained dialogue with Baghdad, the State department said late Wednesday.
The US "strongly opposes" the move by the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to hold a referendum on Kurdish independence, according to a state Department statement.
Despite insistence from Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani that the referendum will go forward, all of Iraq's neighboring countries and "virtually the entire international community" have sided against the vote over concerns it will only lead to further instability in an already vulnerable region, the State department reiterated. The US says it has already hampered coordination efforts against the so-called Islamic State (IS) and other terrorist groups in Iraq.
In place of the referendum, the US urged Iraqi Kurdish leaders to engage in "serious and sustained dialogue" with Iraq's central government.
"The status of disputed areas and their boundaries must be resolved through dialogue, in accordance with Iraq's constitution, not by unilateral action or force," the State department said "The costs of proceeding with the referendum are high for all Iraqis, including Kurds." The US warned Kurdistan's regional trade relations and "international assistance of all kinds" may be at stake if plans go forward.
The KRG's proposed referendum on independence, scheduled for September 25, will be held across Kurdistan in Dahuk, Irbil and Sulaymaniya provinces and areas outside of Kurdistan including Kirkuk, Makhmour, Khanaqin and Sinjar.(end) hy.tg