BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United Nations said on Thursday it will not have a role in the Iraqi Kurdish referendum on independence planned to be held in September.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said in a statement released on Thursday that “it has no intention to be engaged in any way or form as concerns the referendum, to be held on 25 September”.

Iraq’s Kurds said the referendum on independence will go ahead despite warnings from western powers that a vote in favor of secession could trigger conflict with Baghdad at a time when the war against Islamic State is not yet won.

The Kurds are playing a major role in the U.S.-backed campaign to defeat Islamic State (IS), the ultra-hardline Sunni Islamist group that overran about a third of Iraq three years ago and also controls parts of Syria.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-kurds-un/u-n-says-wont-play-a-part-in-iraqi-kurdish-referendum-idUSKBN1961U7

In a similar vein, the government of the United Kingdom issued a statement on Saturday stating it "does not support" the referendum for independence in the Kurdistan Region, and Erbil should engage in "serious" negotiations backed by the international community with Baghdad "to address all the issues."

"The UK does not support the Kurdistan Regional Government’s aspiration to hold a referendum on 25 September. The referendum risks increasing instability in the region when the focus should be on defeating Daesh," read a statement from the Foreign Office that used another term for ISIS.

The Kurdish Peshmerga have said that they will continue their contribution to the US-led Global Coalition against ISIS including with the Iraqi forces despite the vote later this month.

The United Kingdom, along with the United States, and the United Nations have proposed new talks between the central and regional governments.

The White House who called on the KRG Friday to call off the vote said it would "facilitate" dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad.

Although the UK said they demand the KRG to open negotiations with Baghdad, it said such dialogue should be "time limited," and be backed by the international community.

"Talks should be without preconditions, time limited, address all the issues of dispute between the two parties, and be backed by the international community," detailed the UK statement. "The UK calls on the Kurdistan Regional Government to seize this opportunity and to enter into serious negotiations with Baghdad."

The statement comes after the tripartite delegation including UK Ambassador to Iraq Frank Baker met with high-level Kurdish officials including President Masoud Barzani on Wednesday. They presented a joint alternative to the KRG in order to postpone the vote.

Barzani said on Saturday that the time has passed for an alternative to replace the independence vote on September 25.

“We said before, but the time is now late for that, that if there was a better and more guaranteed alternative in place of referendum ... then we welcome that. But nobody did that. Nobody brought a better alternative,” Barzani told people in the Nineveh Plains attending an event in support of the referendum.

http://www.rudaw.net/mobile/english/kurdistan/160920174

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44.

Good morning Nairaland.

texazzpete:


Focus on the message, not the messenger.

I tire for the boy.

[s]

omenka:
I tire for the boy.

[/s]

[s][/s]
hypocrites everywhere

Some people will not sleep

omenka:
cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44.

Good morning Nairaland.

Onye'nkem, You wan resurrect this thread by fire by force.
I dey behind u......Udo deh Nwannem!

Thank God we don't have secessionist in this country as our own main problem here is Terrorism.

Imagine small country like Nigeria have two Terrorist groups.... Haba, satan wetin we do you for we obodo naija?

BabaRamotu1988:
[left][/left]
hypocrites everywhere

Nonsense Rubbish

Potorpotorpeo:

Nonsense Rubbish

e pain am well well

Mynd44, Lalasticlala, don't you think this thread would make for some healthy political jousting? We are in very unique times and this event captures the essence of this time.

Cc: Seun.

omenka:
Mynd44, Lalasticlala, don't you think this thread would make for some healthy political jousting? We are in very unique times and this event captures the essence of this time.

Cc: Seun.

Just take a look at yourself.

If it were in Nigeria apc clueless miscreants ,confused mofos and compromised judiciary would have labelled them terrorist.

omenka:
Mynd44, Lalasticlala, don't you think this thread would make for some healthy political jousting? We are in very unique times and this event captures the essence of this time.

Cc: Seun.

Mango Fall on you

Nawa o

Isn't this the same UN, US and UK that IPOB have placed their hopes on?

I laugh in Biafra.

Hm

Playing safe

Ntor

the same UN nnamdi hunchback wan call for help, don't support secession, mehn tears go full this thread, let me find boat to swim in the tears of ipob

Diplomacy at its best

OK

If U.N can distance itself from the Kurds what of our brothers in the east

Ok

h

But Uk held referandum to exit EU

omenka:
cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44.

Good morning Nairaland.

May dem kill themselves finish after all that are their own worst enemies