Brussels, 09/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - “Kurdistan has never been part of the problem, but we are trying to be part of the solution”, said President of the Autonomous Kurdish Government in Iraq Massoud Barzani, speaking to the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday. “Separation of religion and state is necessary” for a functioning Iraqi state, he repeated, reiterating his support for the country's unity as long as every party respects the Iraqi constitution, including on the future of the town of Kirkuk. MEPs, like Jan Wiersma (PES, NL) and Joost Lagendijk (Greens/EFA, NL), echoed the concerns expressed by certain international organisations, who fear for the freedom and fairness of the referendum foreseen at the end of the year on this multi-ethnic city being attached to Kurdistan. Although a report from the International Crisis Group (ICG) mainly evokes the risk of violence linked to the vote and recommends that voting be postponed, Barzani is opposed to this. “We need to go ahead with a referendum, as further delays can only destabilise the situation” further, he argued, estimating that 80% of the Iraqi people had approved the constitution, and that its Article 140 is the legal basis for dealing with the Kirkuk question. All communities living in Kurdistan will be reassured that they will be able to vote freely during the referendum in respect of their convictions, Barzani stressed, warning: “Foreign intervention in this issue is unacceptable”. In response to the question raised by José Ignacio Salafranca (EPP-ED, Spain) on the possible withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, Barzani predicted “a full-fledged civil war in Iraq” if such were the case. “The PKK [Kurdistan Labour Party] is a political question that cannot be solved by military means”, he told Cem Özdemir (Greens/EFA, Germany), saying he was ready to cooperate with Turkey and take part in a political solution to the issue. (ab)