Iraq's Kirkuk to participate in Kurdish region's poll

By Idris Okuducu

KIRKUK, Iraq (AA) - A planned referendum to decide the political fate of northern Iraq’s Kurdish region would include Kirkuk, a lawmaker from the Kurdistan Democratic Party said on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference held following a meeting of Kurdish political parties in Kirkuk, the party’s Kirkuk deputy, Selah Delo, said: “Everybody wonders whether the independence referendum will include Kirkuk and other controversial areas.

"The answer is yes, the referendum is going to include the controversial areas as well. This issue is of interest to all Kurds."

The Kurdistan Democratic Party is led by the Kurdish Regional Government President, Masoud Barzani.

Kurdish political parties had gathered in KDP's Kirkuk party office to discuss Kirkuk's involvement in the referendum planned for this year.

The session was boycotted by the Movement for Change Party (also known as Gorran Movement), the largest opposition party to the coalition government formed by the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party.

Kirkuk has diverse ethnic groups, including Kurds, Turkmen, Arabs and Christians. "We have no intention of neglecting other ethnic groups," Delo said.

KDP’s Roj Nuri Saweys said the Kirkuk Provincial Assembly wants to participate in the referendum.

"We have welcomed this demand as it is their God-given right," he said.

On March 30, Barzani held a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Erbil during which he announced that within a short period of time a referendum would be held to decide the fate of the region.

Kirkuk Provincial Assembly announced on April 4 the referendum would be held to determine the status of the city as well. The assembly session was boycotted by Arabs and Turkmen.

*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this report from Ankara.