KurdistanObserver.com

Barzani: Civil War Will Lead To Kurd State

AMMAN, Jordan, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Iraqi Kurds will proclaim an independent entity in northern Iraq in the event of a civil war between the country's Sunni and Shiite communities.

In an interview with Saudi daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat Monday, Massoud Barzani, the president of the Kurdish enclave, spoke about the long-time national aspirations of the Kurds, a move opposed by neighboring Turkey, Syria and Iran.

"If a civil war breaks out between Sunnis and Shiites leading to their separation, the Kurds will have only one choice and that is total independence," said Barzani, who also heads the Kurdish Democratic Party, which, with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, controls the Kurdish enclave

Nevertheless, Barzani stressed, "if the two parties (Sunnis and Shiites) remained committed to the new constitution, we will also remain adhered to it."

Under the new constitution, Iraqi Kurdistan enjoys autonomy.

Barzani underlined the Kurdish people's right to self-determination.

"The Kurds should no longer fear to be persecuted or punished for demanding independence, and the other parties should no longer worry about the Kurds' aspirations," Barzani said.

"The issue of independence, is however, not at stake in the present phase," he added.