ERBIL — Kurdish prominent leader and former president of Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, reiterated on Tuesday that independence and self-determination is a natural right reserved for all people, but the Kurd’s move last year was misinterpreted.

“It is a legitimate and natural right of all the people to determine their own fate, as you did last year on this day,” Barzani said at an election rally of his Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Erbil.

“However, unfortunately it was misinterpreted. They should have asked you why did you make that decision? What was your problem? Instead of compensating the affected people of the Anfal [campaign], [Halabja] chemical attack, and displacements, they tried more retaliation,” the Kurdish leader told the huge crowd.

He reminded that the Kurdish leadership had several times made it clear that independence would not be declared the day after the referendum, and that it was a move to show the world what the people, not the political parties, want.

Barzani stated that the Iraqi government was expected to resolve the disputes between Erbil and Baghdad via peaceful dialogues and not violence.

“We still believe that it was not a bid against the constitution… Indeed, would have not resorted to referendum if the constitution was fully implement.”

“Fire cannot solve the problem,” Barzani reasserted. “In the past, now, and in the future we will continue insisting on peaceful negotiations to find a solution to the disputes.”

Bas News