Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani spoke at referendum rally in the capital in Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil.

Speaking here, Barzani said that they tried to live together with Baghdad on the will of all the parties, saying, “Neither had they left the law nor the partnership. They have destroyed our 4,500 villages. They slaughtered 12 thousand Fayli Kurds and 8 thousand Barzanis.”

Barzani pointed out the world criticize the referendum demand as “pressure card” which he does not care and added: “Before the referendum decision, we said to Baghdad, ‘take this seriously’. The referendum decision is historical and a courageous decision. The referendum is now the decision of all of us.”

Indicating that they are subjected to pressure to postpone the referendum, Barzani said:

“They pressure on us day and night for the referendum to be postponed. It is said ‘postpone the referendum and establish a dialogue with Baghdad'. We do not want that. We are prepared for dialogue in good faith with Baghdad, but after 25 September.”

Sharing one of his stories with former US President Bush, Barzani said: “If the Washington did the same what Baghdad did to us, you would never step to Washington anymore.”

Barzani reiterated his determination on the referendum issue by stating that it is too late to postpone the referendum.

"The people of Kurdistan have been punished for 100 years. They still haven’t get filled to punish. If you give another punishment, then punish me,” added Barzani.

ILKHA