KurdistanObserver.com

Barzani: Independent Kurdistan Is Our Right Mustafa Gokturk - The New Anatolian / Erbil June 6, 2006 An independent Kurdistan is the right of  Kurds, but for now remaining within the borders of a federalist, democratic Iraq meets their interest, said  Kurdistan region President Massoud Barzani in an interview with Al-Arabia television yesterday. Asked whether Kurdish people might seek an independent state, Barzani said that struggling for and dreaming about independence is "a right of every Kurdish individual" and further that "nobody can deny this right to the Kurds."

An independent Kurdistan is the right of  Kurds, but for now remaining within the borders of a federalist, democratic Iraq meets their interest, said  Kurdistan region President Massoud Barzani in an interview with Al-Arabia television yesterday.

Asked whether Kurdish people might seek an independent state, Barzani said that struggling for and dreaming about independence is "a right of every Kurdish individual" and further that "nobody can deny this right to the Kurds."

"But for now, remaining within the borders of a federal, democratic Iraq fructifies the Kurdish interest. Presumably the dream and desire of an independent Kurdistan for the next generation or even in our time will be realized," Barzani said.

Barzani also expressed optimism about the resolution of the Kirkuk issue by the new Iraqi government and stressed that pursuing the issue is a priority of the Kurdistan regional government. The Kurdish leader further expressed his belief that "the Kurdish question of neighboring countries" can be solved by democratic and peaceful means, through dialogue.

Barzani's remarks are likely to cause concern in Ankara, which fears a civil war in Iraq and wider regional instability should the country fall apart and the Kurds seek independence.