Is Barzani backing away from independence referendum?
Iraqi Kurdistan's president expects "guarantees and alternatives" from Washington; Hamas diplomatic surge with Iran and Russia.
US makes clear its support for unified Iraq
No surprise for readers of Al-Monitor, including readers of this column last week, that Iraqi Kurdistan's President Massoud Barzani may consider stepping back from holding a referendum on Iraqi Kurdish independence previously scheduled for Sept. 25.
In a telephone call Aug. 11, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson commended Barzani on negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad on “outstanding issues” and asked him to postpone the referendum. Barzani responded that by doing so he “would expect guarantees and alternatives for their [the Iraqi Kurds] future.”
Barzani has not yet made a decision to call off the referendum as this column goes to press. Hoshyar Zebari, a close adviser to Barzani, said, “The date is standing, Sept. 25, no change," after the call with Tillerson, according to Reuters.
