Kurds determined on independent state

After ISIL capturing many critical Sunni-dominated districts in Iraq, Kurds are openly talking about independence from Baghdad while some officials avoid the word independence especially talking abroad in a delegation.

A Kurdish delegation has been in Washington for two days to hold several meetings with U.S. officials including Secretary of State John Kerry.

Discussions on the threat by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, or ISIL militants, independence of KRG were expected to be on the agenda.

Asked about the issues facing Iraqi's four and a half million Kurds in the north of the country, Falah Mustafa Bakir the head of foreign relations department of Kurdistan Regional Government said that they plan to "reorganize the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad." However he declined to go into details of what this will mean.

On the other hand KRG President, Massoud Barzani is expected to announce a referendum date today on independence.

"We, the Kurdish people have the right to decide on our destiny under current circumstances in Iraq where we don't see any hope for solution of our problems," said Bakir.

As the crisis in Iraq deepens since mid-June following a major offensive by the militant ISIL, independence becomes more viable for Kurds. Following ISIL''s claims that they would seize Kirkuk after Mosul, Kurdish forces occupied Kirkuk, a city which they had claimed for decades.

Asked about the negotiations with Baghdad over a new constitution, Bakir said; "We have waited enough for the implementation of constitution, but Baghdad has not come forward to address our demands, today it is time for us to end this and to have a new start."

The tension between the Iraqi central government and KRG peaked when Baghdad administration froze the monthly budget allocated to the KRG early this year.

However, the main faultline between Baghdad and Erbil lies in the status of disputed regions including the oil rich province of Kirkuk and the sale of oil by the KRG over Turkey which Baghdad consider a violation of the federal constitution.

It is up to the people of Kirkuk to decide whether they would be a part of Iraq or Kurdistan, he said.

Bakir stressed that Turkey has been a key partner for KRG and they would be pleased to exchange views with Turkey in respect to independence. He added that an independent Kurdistan would not be a threat to Turkey or the region, conversely it would contribute to the stability in region.

"We are pleased at the level of relationship we have with Turkey and we believe that there is a great understanding from Turkish side to the Kurdish aspirations," he said.