Iraqi VP Ayad Allawi proposed seven-item national initiative

CAIRO – 26 September 2017: Iraq’s Vice-President Ayad Allawi proposed a seven-item "national initiative" Monday to solve the independence referendum held by Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Allawi urged the leadership of KRG to "freeze the results of the referendum during a constructive transitional stage, where a responsible national dialogue takes place to treat all disputed aspects." The initiative included subjugating the fate of Kirkuk and disputed territories to the text of article 140 of the constitution.

Political stances rejecting the referendum and its results continued. Leader of the Sadrist Movement Muqtada al-Sadr released a statement on Monday calling upon the government to "impose its dominance on air and land outlets, protecting borders and putting security forces in a state of alert.”

He considered "the mere idea of [the] referendum and organizing it… as an endeavor to put pressure on the central government, and even on the entire Iraqi people and government, particularly as it was a unilateral decision.”

Al-Sadr also asked for a "general, urgent and speedy Shiite-Sunni political meeting because circumstances call for reunion,” calling for a similar meeting for "Kurdish opposition and other minorities to explore their suffering and their opinions and to reunite them.”

Voting in the historic referendum kicked off Monday morning in northern Iraq, where millions of Kurds were determined to vote for independence despite international demands to call it off and fears of violence and instability.

A war of words has continued since the Kurdish independence referendum was set; however, in the past few weeks, the rhetoric has intensified as it became increasingly likely that the referendum would take place.

On Monday, Iraqi Kurds decided for themselves. The results of the referendum are expected to be announced within 72 hours following the end of the vote.