(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) IRBIL, Oct 1 (KUNA) -- The Kurdistan Region Presidency expressed disappointment at the statement by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that the US does not recognize Kurdistan's independence referendum.
"The people of Kurdistan, who have consistently and enthusiastically supported the United States, especially more recently in its fight against ISIS and Saddam Hussein, are deeply disappointed at Tillerson's statement," Dr. Omed Sabah spokesperson of Kurdistan presidency said in a statement on Sunday. "Of all the countries in the world, the United States should appreciate and honor Kurds' decision for independence as manifested by 92 percent of voters in a free, transparent and peaceful referendum held on September 25," he stressed.
"Although we appreciate the United States' call for a nonviolent response to the referendum, neither the United States nor any other country has stopped Baghdad's unconstitutional and illegal mistreatment of the Kurds, which has continued since 2005 when we adopted the Constitution.
"We hope in the coming days the United States will re-evaluate its position and support wholeheartedly the legitimate aspirations of the people of the Kurdistan Region as well as participate in the peaceful negotiation between Erbil and Baghdad. "The referendum enabled the people of Kurdistan to exercise the right of self-determination as contained in the UN Charter and at least two subsequent international conventions," Sabah went on.
He added that the US' official stance has been opposed to Kurdistan's independence referendum since the beginning, arguing the vote will have a destabilizing effect and throwing its support behind a united Iraq. On Friday, Tillerson stated that "the vote and the results lack legitimacy and we continue to support a united, federal, democratic and prosperous Iraq." He added that aspirations of stability and prosperity in Kurdistan Region "cannot be advanced through unilateral measures such as this referendum." (end) sbr.amm.gb
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