Of course the UN opposes it. The UN is driven by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). If the Muslim world opposes it, the UN opposes it. The Kurds have for years deserved autonomy and self-determination. Bush should have given it to them, but he didn’t have the stones. Bush made bold moves, but halfheartedly and without the courage of his convictions.

Go Kurds!

The caliph of Turkey, Erdogan, threatens severe retribution. Iraqi Kurds must give up on independence or go hungry, Erdogan said.

Tillerson’s remarks are what you expect from an Arabist: “The US State Department has said that despite being ‘deeply disappointed’ by the Kurdish independence referendum, its relations with the Kurdish people ‘will not change.’…’The United States opposes violence and unilateral moves by any party to alter boundaries,’ the statement read.”

I am thrilled for the Kurds and I stand with them.

“UN chief comes out against Kurdish independence referendum,” Associated Press, September 26, 2017 (thanks to Christian):

UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. says Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opposes the Sept. 25 independence referendum planned by Iraq’s Kurds for the enclave in the country’s north. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Sunday that Guterres believes any unilateral decision to hold a referendum now would detract from the need to defeat the Islamic State extremist group. He says the U.N. chief believes the referendum would also detract from reconstruction of regained territories and the safe return of over 3 million people displaced by IS. Dujarric says Guterres respects Iraq’s “sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity” and believes all issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan regional government should be resolved through dialogue and compromise….

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