Barzani: We will submit independence of Kurdistan issue to John Kerry

did not ask them to fight ISIL, but stressed that they would defend Kurdistan against any aggressor.

 Barzani said in an interview with Christiane Amanpour, about the future of Iraq and the sectarian divisions in the country, at a time he said that Iraq is no longer the same, and that the State is witnessing "a new Iraq."

Barzani pointed out that Iraq suffers from a " clear collapse," and that "the central government has lost control of everything."

He added, "We did not create the collapse of Iraq, but we changed the reason, we cannot remain hostage to the unknown," adding, "It is time to recognize the Kurdish identity and their future."

Independence has always been a dream to the Kurds, although Kurdistan region has characterized by self-rule over the two decades, but they did not indicate a desire to achieve that dream of independence.

But recent events seem to have helped in moving this issue, as Barzani said, "We are seeing a new Iraq different from what we knew ten days or two weeks ago."

"The recent events in Iraq, confirmed that the Kurdish people have to seize the opportunity now, and that the Kurdish people must determine their own future," adding that “he will present the independence of Kurdistan’s issue to U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, during his visit to Iraq on Tuesday.

Barzani noted that he will ask a question to Kerry "How long must the Kurdish people stay on this case?" adding, "The Kurdish people have the right to select their own destiny alone."

Barzani emphasized that reconciliation can take place in the state, on condition of "the existence of an understanding between Shiites and Sunnis, although there was a guarantee for a real partnership in power, he said," but the situation is very complicated, the person responsible for what happened must step down, "and when asked if he mean Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, he replied: "Of course, he is the Commander in Chief of the Army, has built himself an army of supporters personally, and not supporters of the state, he has manipulated power and strength, led the army and this was the result."

Barzani said that Maliki didn’t ask for Kurdish military forces or Peshmerga to fight alongside the Iraqi army, by saying, "The Prime Minister opposed any request for assistance."

He added that the Iraqi government has warned of ISIL threat months ago  and the imposition of its control on Mosul, near the Iraqi -Kurdish border, which is the second largest city in the state, Barzani added that he has witnesses foe his warning.

Barzani also pointed out that everything that happens is not because of the ISIL organization alone, but it took advantage of dissatisfaction of the Iraqi people from al-Maliki, stressing "the need to distinguish between the legitimate rights and what the terrorists are trying to achieve."

When asked about the possibility of change by 300 advisers sent by the United States, he replied: "I do not think so, I do not think that it can achieve a balance of power, and this cannot be resolved militarily, it is a political issue and must be resolved politically, and then a military solution will be the easier, if there was a political agreement. "

Peshmerga forces could have taken advantage of the opportunity, when it took control of Kirkuk city recently, which is the oil-rich region considered by Kurds as an integral part of the region.

Barzani said, "We did not have a doubt at any time that Kirkuk is a part of Kurdistan," noting that “ Kurdistan tried to include Kirkuk since ten years ago, commenting, "We have not seen any seriousness of the central government, and since events started in Iraq now, the issue of returning  Kirkuk to Kurdistan has returned. "

It is noteworthy that Barzani in his meeting with the Kurdish parties in the region committed to Kirkuk, stressing that there is no return to the pre-events of Mosul, in a sign that they will not give up Kirkuk.