25/10/2011 16:33 Erbil, Oct. 25 (AKnews) - Kurdish President Massoud Barzani allegedly said in an interview with al-Arabiya TV that Kurds were ready for a war for independence. He claimed the decision was not up to him, but a referendum would have to decide the fate of the Kurdistan Region as an independent state or as a part of Iraq. "We welcome and support the result of a referendum in which the people of Kurdistan decide," Barzani said. "And we are ready to pay the price even if it means war." However, Barzani promised that Kurds will not take part in a civil war that he expects to take place in Iraq after the withdrawal of U.S. forces. Last weekend, Izzat Shabandar, a leader in the ruling State of Law Coalition (SLC), had suggested to found an independent Kurdish state and to put disputed areas under national control since "no satisfactory decision for both parties can be reached as far as the disputed areas are concerned." This idea was immediately rejected by the Kurdistan Blocs Coalition (KBC) yesterday. "The Kurdish leaders are not thinking now of this issue and we chose to stay within a federal unified Iraq and we are very keen to implement the Constitution and respect the unity and sovereignty of Iraq," KBC spokesman Muayyid Tayyeb said. The debate about independence coincided with the arrival of a new delegation of Kurdish politicians in Baghdad for talks about outstanding issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region government (KRG) yesterday. On of the topics of the negotiations will be the fate of the disputed areas -- cities and areas along the border between the Republic of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, such as Kirkuk. Earlier today, Barzani announced that he will pay a visit to Kirkuk before he heads to Iran next week. by Fouad Rahim AKnews
