The Political Bureau of the Iraqi Communist Party issued on 20 September 2017 a memorandum on the referendum in the Kurdistan region. The following is a full translation of the document.

To:

Mr. Fouad Masoum, President of the Republic of Iraq

Mr. Salim Jabbouri, Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament

Mr. Haider Abadi, Iraqi Prime Minister

Mr. Fa’ik Zidan, Chairman of the Council of the Judiciary

Mr. Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region

We are following with great concern the current developments in our country, especially with regard to the issue of the referendum in the Kurdistan region and its repercussions, and the positions of the various national, regional and international forces.

These developments come at a time when everybody is still facing the great national task of continuing the battle against the terrorist Daesh, liberating the last areas still under its control, ridding our people from its evils and embarking on the other task, which is of no less importance, to return the displaced people to their areas and cities, coupled with launching a campaign of reconstruction, ensuring the safety and security of liberated areas and implementing an integrated package of measures to dry out the sources of terrorism.

At the same time, our country is facing many difficulties and problems, which are mainly the result of the policy employed in state administration and the policies applied in the various areas.

Because of these difficulties and their repercussions, the suffering of Iraqi citizens has intensified in many aspects, at a time when they were hoping that national efforts and energies would be devoted after the defeat of Daesh to addressing the already dire situation, providing security, stability and the prerequisites of a decent and dignified life. Hence the widespread popular demands for reform and change in governance and administration, for rebuilding state institutions away from the sectarian and ethnic quota system, and the adoption of the principle of citizenship, integrity and competence as a basis for public appointments.

Perhaps one of the most important crises is the one between the Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, which has deteriorated greatly in recent times. It has been burdened over the past 14 years by elements that resulted in its intensification, without exerting sufficient efforts to address the outstanding issues. On the contrary, positions and steps were taken by all parties that contributed to pouring oil into the raging fire. The responsibility here is shared, and all the forces in charge of decision-making bear it in various degrees, but the primary responsibility rests, of course, with those who hold power by virtue of their constitutional position.

Another factor that contributed to the aggravation of the relationship between the two sides has been the lack of political will to implement Article 140 of the Constitution and resolve the issues of the disputed areas.

This crisis-ridden relationship developed to a critical level after the leadership of the Kurdistan region announced that it will go ahead with holding the referendum 25 September 2017, and that it would include areas outside the authority of the Regional Government. This has provoked strong reactions, triggered mutual exchanges internally and externally, and encouraged foreign countries and quarters to interfere into our national issues.

Regarding the issue of the referendum, we state the following:

1- We, in the Iraqi Communist Party, recognize the right of self-determination for all peoples, small and large, and their right to express their free will, including the formation of a national state. It is the right that we have always dealt with in accordance with our country's concrete conditions, the latest of which was the adoption of federalism.

2- Accordingly, we supported the federal formula that was adopted in the Iraqi Constitution, which is an advanced formula for governance and administration in a multi-constituent state. It is regrettable that this formula of federalism has not yet exhausted all its potential, and the construction of the democratic federal state has not been completed. The various parties that have held the highest authority in the state have not provided the prerequisites to complete its construction so as to ensure partnership and participation, in words and deeds, for the entire spectrum of our people, and in particular for the people of the Kurdistan region, in managing and deciding the affairs of the country on the basis of citizenship, thus enhancing their choice of a voluntary union within a federal democratic Iraq

3- In our opinion, the restructuring of the federal state, whose structure is determined by the Iraqi Constitution of 2005, cannot be decided unilaterally by a particular party. While recognizing the right of this region or that area to hold a referendum to survey and identify the views of its citizens, the main issue is how to deal with its consequences and implement its outcome, which concerns the federal state as a whole.

4- In connection with the concrete situation of the country as mentioned above and the challenges ahead, and based on the the interests of all, including the people of the Kurdistan region, it is our view that that the referendum has not come under favourabe conditions and was not preceded by the necessary preparation before embarking on such a step which is undoubtedly a big step. In short, regardless of the motives of the various parties, the referendum remains a right which the pursuit of its implementation is untimely.

5- In this context, we see that the disputed areas remain within the relevant characterization stated in the Constitution, and are still subject to Article 140 and await a solution.

6- It is a grave mistake that is unjustified in any way to resort to convulsive positions, escalate the spirit of hostility between the Arab and Kurdish peoples, enflame the atmosphere and launch counter-threats, and to resort to violence and military action to resolve issues such as the ones we are dealing with. Such acts would aggravate the situation, encourage various external parties to interfere in our country's internal affairs and provide opportunities for both the terrorist forces and rogue groups to carry out their schemes to destabilize security and stability.

7- The unity of the country, in our view, can only be based on the conviction and satisfaction of all its constituents, away from coercion and forced annexation, so as to guarantee the equal rights of all.

Today, as the deadline for the referendum approaches and a satisfactory resolution of the crisis has not been reached, tensions are escalating and threats are issued from both internal and external parties, thus creating a dangerous situation that may be difficult to control and could expose Iraq in general and the Kurdistan Region, its people and achievements, to serious risks. We therefore see the need for an extraordinary and intensive effort, by both the federal government and the Kurdistan region, to ensure that the meetings which would hopefully be held in the coming days between the two sides achieve positive results to defuse the crisis and pave the way to find radical solutions to outstanding issues. These solutions should include timetables and guarantees that are mutually agreed, in order to re-build confidence between the two sides and ensure the continuation of the joint march, to confront the big challenges facing the Kurdistan region and our country as a whole. They should also include discussions on reviewing and developing the relationship between the Kurdistan region and the federal government.

Accordingly, we welcome all the initiatives that have been launched to address this sensitive issue, including the initiative of the President of the Republic of Iraq. This stems from our position that we favour adopting national efforts as a basis for addressing issues that concern our country and for resolving its difficulties, problems and crises.

The serious and responsible dialogue, and keenness to deal with outstanding issues between the federal government and the regional government in accordance with agreed timetables, so as to ensure the legitimate rights of our Kurdish people, is in our view the most effective way to spare the Iraqi people in all its constituents and our dear country the repercussions of the current grave crisis, based on the spirit of citizenship and true partnership.

We must here reaffirm our total rejection in all circumstances of resorting to arms, or threatening to use them, from any party. We do not see an alternative to dialogue, whether the subject of the referendum and its timing is reconsidered, which we hope will take place in the concrete existing situation, or if it goes ahead. We also emphasize our absolute rejection of the interference by the countries of the region and others in the internal affairs of Iraq, especially military intervention, or any Iraqi side seeking such interference, during these sensitive moments experienced by our dear homeland.

We are convinced that this crisis can be resolved through national dialogue and within the framework of the Constitution, and by involving the forces that have genuine interest in building a secure and stable Iraq and moving forward along the path of progress and prosperity. This requires the existence of political will and seeking the highest interests of the people and the homeland, and taking into account all the circumstances surrounding and influencing the current situation.

We must also realize that this crisis will not be the last one unless there is a serious approach to addressing the crisis of the political system which is based on sectarian-ethnic quotas, and rejecting the policy that, as past experience has shown, has not provided guarantees to prevent the multiplication of crises. This policy does not provide sufficient guarantees to ensure the interests of all the constituents of our people. The alternative is to build a state of citizenship; a democratic civil state based on social justice.

Let us all work, in a high national spirit, to prevent our country from falling into dangerous slippery slopes, in which everybody will lose and only the enemies of our people will win.

Political Bureau

The Iraqi Communist Party

20 September 2017