they came for me." it is a page turner even a you know how it turned out. "rosilm is based on ewater." tim greenburg of "the daily show ." thank you so much for being here. mr. bahari: if you want to learn more about journalism is not a crime, go to journalismisnotac rime.com. ms. crowley: thank you all so much. [applause] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2015] >> known as the city of good neighborhoods, this weekend our cities tour joined by time warner cable explores the history and literary life of

buffalo, new york. on book tv will visit the mark twain room at the buffalo and here he county public library. the centerpiece our pages of the original handwritten manuscripts of "adventures of huckleberry finn." then "occurrence the grain," about the history of its first ward. >> the irish settled here because they were desperate. they came across the atlantic and the famine and years after and still were not great. it would take maybe one relatives of find out about these plentiful jobs along the waterfront. working in the grain elevators or in the mills. work we go back to ireland that you want to come to buffalo. you would have steady employment. neighborhoodthis called the first ward. it has to say because when buffalo was first created in 1832 as a city it was divided into five political wards. this area along the waterfront

along the river has always been the first four. >> on american history tv. on september 6, 1901, president william mckinley was assassinated in buffalo. tour the buffalo history museum exploring the mckinley exhibit features of in surrounding his death and the gun used to shoot the president. then discover the history of the waterfront and how it has adapted from the nation's great center to moderate -- modern redeveloping. >> this is a collection of grain elevators built along the then in the buffalo river. originally built for different companies. company is owned by one on ohio street. it's being regenerated for many different purposes. for art and music. we do history chores. we tell the story of buffalo's history. there are theatrical auctions down here. all sorts of different pieces for these historic silos. >> see all of our programs and

buffalo today at 2:00 on american history tv on c-span3. the c-span cities tour, working with our cable affiliate and visiting cities across the country. on tuesday members of a columbia university task force discussed a report on state building and iraqi kurdistan. it outlined the out -- the economic and political and security challenges for those working for an independent kurdish state. this is one hour. mr. linday: i'm a senior intelligence analyst for the next week and a half. thank you for coming. to the release of this new report. it sets up recommended pathways for the kurdistan regional government to take to what many believe is inevitable

independence from iraq or iraqi kurdistan. the full report is on the web. you guys got the executive summary. it was repaired by a task force prepared by the program on peace building and the right of columbia university's institute for the study of human rights. the task force chair, to my immediate right is ambassador nancy soderberg. her foreign policy resume is extensive. serving as a third highest-ranking official on president bill clinton's national security council. at alternate universe -- u.s. delegate to the united nations. a foreign-policy advisor to a number of democratic presidents of campaigns and to edward kennedy. to her right is david phillips. we are old friends. legal back to the wars in the balkans. he has extensive experience in

the balkans, middle east, and south asia and conflict resolution and human rights advocacy. he is the director of the program on peace building and rights and he offered this report. n advisor tod as a the state department and authored numerous books on foreign policy. no matter how you feel about the question of the iraqi kurds long quest for independence, this report could not be timelier given the tragedy convulsing the middle east and in particular iraq, syria, and turkey with their large kurdish populations. it's hard to argue with the report's essential premise. the middle east is no more. iraq and syria are partitioned for all intents and purposes. it's all -- impossible to see how they can be put together again.

more than half a million people from -- more than half of syria's population is been operated and 4 million are refugees. i was there twice last year and saw entire towns utterly destroyed. i have no idea how that will ever be rebuilt. so that people can live there again. i was also in iraq. it's a wash and billions of internally displaced and refugees. anyhow secretly expensed bk rg. -- by the krg. the iraqi army and shiite militias have failed delivery and our province -- anbar province and there is little hope that mozul will be restored soon. turkey is now facing serious political instability with the resumption of the war between the pkk and the government.

one of the only copies of political units that is continued functioning in this of people is iraqi kurdistan, these people have your for decades for independence and its leaders have vowed to give it to them despite opposition from baghdad and her chief ally, the united states. they face serious don't think political and economic insecurity challenges. in delivering on that promise. this report is being issued today to try the difficult and challenging course of that goal. i will turn it over to nancy and david and then take questions. there is a microphone there. i would ask you to please identify yourself when we do -- when u.s. questions. ms. soderberg: thank you very much jonathan for joining us and also for your long work in these war zones where you will crisscrossed over the years. it's wonderful to see some old friends here at appreciate all of you coming out on short

notice. we are delighted you are here. i want to first say thanks to david phillips to my right, without whom this project would not have occurred. david has spent decades analyzing the kurdish issues and i'm delighted when he conceived of this task force and asked me to chair. universitycolumbia and its program of peace building and human rights at columbia university's institute for the study of human rights. it's been a wonderful host and provided a lot of support to this project. thank you for that. i also want to thank the task includedbers, which former u.s. officials, u.s. and european scholars and activists who have many decades of experience in kurdish affairs. we met regularly since april of this year to discuss strategy, methodology, findings, and

recommendations. a number of visited the region. i want to thank all the members for their participation and expertise and time. delighted to welcome rendon invaluable member of the task force. he is most knowledgeable on constitutional and legal issues in the region. thank you for your contributions. we also have interrater -- contributor -- a key interrogative on these issues. she is now home and in simple and thank you for -- and in simple -- thank you. for those who would like us to mail you a copy of the actual glossy report there is a china she on the -- there is a sign-up sheet on the cookie tray and we

will mail you a copy if you would like one. so we are delighted to review the recommendations. i will talk briefly. david will talk briefly and we will answer questions and in probably at 1:00. -- promptly at 1:00. this region is one in crisis. you have the collapse of the iraqi state. the brutal sweep of isis through the region. a flood of 4 million refugees and another 6 million displaced in syria. half of the country has moved. russianst moves by have upped the ante, prompting guppy assad -- prompting of the assad regime. in our view these events should be a wake-up call for u.s. policymakers and international policymakers of the current course is failing.

the u.s. is gradually shifting from some of its policies in recognition of this fact. in the midst of the chaos we want to highlight a critical and all too often overlooked element. the steady march towards independence of the iraqi kurds. we recognize this is part of a larger puzzle but one of the focus on just this one under analyze and underappreciated fact in the hopes it will spur further thinking. kurds and the international community have to make tough decisions. with respect to iraqi kurdistan's march towards independence, if it is done correctly, the emergence of an independent democratic prosperous and stable iraqi kurdistan is a win-win for the region. in advances the interests of the kurds, iraq, the region, and

broader international community. i will summarize the key findings in three broad areas and turned it over to david. i will talk about the need for the international community to work with and not against iraq the kurds independence. they need for the international community to build a more unified effort to combat isis. and the need for the international community to help the kurds address the overwhelming refugee crisis. our recommendation is for the international community to stop blocking the iraqi kurds march towards independence. if you look back, the kurds of in building a de facto independent state since 1991. over the 12 years since the 2003 us-led invasion of iraq, the iraqi kurds have sought to work with the central government in baghdad through the last 12 years. but with iraq's collapse and

baghdad's obstructionism they will no longer do so. during the negotiations on the 2005 pounds vision -- constitution, they made a deal to stay in iraq if iraq was truly federal, democratic, and decentralized. such a new iraq does not exist. theuly of last year courtesy and regional government announced plans for a referendum on independence which will set the stage for a declaration of independence. the courtesy and regional government understands it must not act hurriedly oracles of late. and it understands it must do so it invites conflict with iraq, syria, and turkey and iran. we do not know how and when i recognize and will seek dish or independence -- dejure is not fore, but it

the international community to block the aspirations of the kurds for self-determination. we argued the community should work with the regional kurdistan regional government with baghdad and concerned countries to make sure the process is consulted, democratic, responsible, and stable. iraqi kurds march towards independence even with careful consideration. the risks destabilize neighboring country with kurdish populations. the international community will face challenges as the iraqi kurds consolidate their state. we lay out a few recommendations in the report. i will highlight a few of them here. first i'll recommendation to the iraqi government is that iraq must resolve his outstanding territorial issues. in accordance with article 140 of the iraqi constitution we recommended it hold a referendum kurkukstatus of the

region. with monitoring by the international community. if the government iraq is unwilling or unable to do so, we recommend that curtis and regional government conduct a referendum with strong international assistance and monitoring. our recommendations to the regional government are as follows. first, reassure turkey and iran that the krg harbors no plan for a care -- greater curtis and incorporate parts of syria, turkey, or iran. second, request monitoring by the international community should there be a referendum and work to ensure that iraq, neighboring state, and the international community are kept fully informed of the process. specialeveloped power-sharing arrangements for -- in thes

referendum. and economic issues. our recommendation to the international community include understanding that iraqi kurdistan is moving towards independence. work with the kurdistan regional government and iraq and the neighbors to support the development of a transparent roadmap and timetable for the possible decision by the iraqi kurds to separate from iraq. transparency would enhance stable postindependence relations. we should also provide direct assistance to kurdistan's independent high electoral commission so that the design and conduct of a referendum on independence meet international standards and we should discuss monitors to verify that the referendum is free and fair. secondly, we wanted the need for

a stronger effort against isis in the region. the kurds are key to the fight against isis in syria and iraq. we were all impressed by the u.s. effort in support of the in 2014 tofend -- keep isis from overrunning the city. the international community has an interest in making iraqi kurdistan a bulwark of stability and a better ally in the fight against isis. with us-madearmed state-of-the-art military equipment it sees from iraqi security forces. and u.s. cooperation with the kurdish forces is a model for successful security corporation that should be expanded. first, our recommendation for the courtesy of regional government is to strengthen its own ability to take on these

tasks. the ministry for personal theirs should transform merga into a professional army. pension andregular retirement benefits. rgashould organize peshme from rival parties and into unified brigades. we should support the ministry efforts to create nonpartisan battalions in which he records do not affiliate by political party. recommendations to the international community with respect to the security against isis would be first to support a more unified effort in both syria and iraq to defeat isis or cooperation among kurdish groups with the necessary training and equipping to win. continue to review the military needs of the peshmerga as the

isis threat and the role of the kurds evolved. they need immediate provision of antitank weapons to more effectively defend themselves against vehicle borne improvised expositors devices. we have to train and equip the peshmerga with more sophisticated weapons as needed for offensive missions against isis. today the u.s. has managed to deliver weapons quickly to the kurds despite its insistence on first seeking approval from baghdad. should that become a problem we point out there is a residential waiver that can be invoked to deliver weapons directly to the kurds if the peshmerga need to receive weapons were quickly. given the ongoing critical security needs of the region, over time we recommend the u.s. should develop plans to place a u.s. military base inside iraqi

kurdistan that would only become fully operational should iraqi kurdistan become independent. but given the critical needs the kurds aree, welcoming, friendly, and good fighters indicated its u.s. security interests dramatically. lastly i will touch on the humanitarian crisis. office of the amanda berry affairs estimates 8.2 million people in iraq that need support. 1.6 million of which are in kurdistan. the regional government is struggling to provide relief, resettlement, and protection for -- those at one point 6.1 million refugees. there are all sorts of budgetary issues and social tensions. the challenge is exacerbated by the suspension by baghdad of payments that were supposed to be 70% of the national budget

prorated for the oil exchanges. those payments were stopped by baghdad in february of 2014. the world bank estimates the cost of stabilizing the refugee situation and kurdistan is $1.4 billion. i have a couple of recommendations in this segment both for the courtesy and regional government and the international community for consideration. one would be to position the curtis and regional government for directed nations from the international community by developing a conference in post-conflict recovery plan that focuses on stabilization during the transition from release -- release to development. to the community we suggest they to present this recovery plan at a special session of the un security council convened. it's an informal method to allow the nonmember states of the security council to address the

security council in an informal session. we also suggest providing enhanced direct donors to agency of the krg such as the industries of health and planning, as well as the regionally based ngo's that provide health and humanitarian services to assist in the crisis. certainly no new state is ever ready for independence. but the international community can help the kurds meet these challenges. let me turn it over to david who will present recommendations both to the u.s. and to some of the key challenges the kurds are facing as they prepare for independence. thanks again. there was an old kurdish adage that say they have no friends with the mountains. i submit today that the united states is no better friend in iraq and syria in the kurds. it needs to exert its influence

and over to help iraqi kurdistan be viable, stable, and secure in advancing its progress towards ultimate independence. be focus needs not only to on iraqi kurdistan but on regional issues. the u.s. is uniquely placed to exert its influence in iraq, turkey, and syria. we have seen recent announcements of plans to provide ammunition and maybe some weapons to the people's protection units of the pyd. they will need more sophisticated weapons to successfully establish a viable buffer along the syria and turkey border. in addition there needs to be more frequent and higher-level contacts between u.s. officials and the authorities.

including members of the democratic union party, the pyd. the purpose of these discussions are multi fold, including discussions about reinforcing the partnership with the pyd and its commitment to kurdish autonomy and a reconstituted syria. we all have watched with great concern the resumption of the war in turkey. encourage bothto ankara and the kurds to resume secession of hostilities, to go back to the negotiating table. the trend towards escalating violence which was initiated in a large-scale by president arduan is not constructed to the broader girls of turkey or turkish citizens, including those of kurdish origin. role towards u.s.

iraqi kurdistan, we recommend that the u.s. should establish a future of kurdistan project involving u.s. officials, private experts, and iraqi kurds in order to develop a capacity building plan for iraqi as well as its security. so that kurdish issues don't slip between the bureaucratic cracks in washington, we recommend the appointment of a special envoy for kurdish issues, bridging the groep -- gap between euros of eastern affairs, european affairs at the state department. this special envoy would serve as an interagency focal point within the u.s. government. it would also help to coordinate policies between the u.s. and european countries.

columbia university invited the cochair of the pyd two young states. that has not been acted upon. you should be issued a visa so that he can come to the united states and attend high-level meetings in washington. nancy spoke about the economic crisis facing iraqi-kurdistan. exacerbatedrisis is by the suspension of oil payments from baghdad, the depressed energy prices in world markets, and also the collapse of investor confidence due to the invasion by isis. the kurdistan regional government has stepped up and absorbed and honest costs thing for the military and assistance. it also has had to bear the expense of its security in the

fight against isis. we offer some recommendations to krg and the to the united states. in order to revitalize the economy in the kurdistan region, the krg should review and strengthen the investment law. steps are needed to create a predictable environment for doing business through a legal system that governs commerce and property rights, as well as taxes and tariffs that are levied in a consistent and transparent way. krg has made enormous progress, but it has done so in oc fashion which is not systematic. it needs to create balance sheet that harmonizes its budgetary practices across the iraqi kurdistan.

cash-basedstan has a economy. it needs to develop its banking sector, reduced cash-based transactions, and promote foreign direct investment by creating special economic and industrial zones. i am going to speak briefly about the issues surrounding the kurdistan government. progress towards finalizing iraqi-kurdistan's draft constitution stalled in 2006. there is an ongoing debate about whether to have a polar entry system or a strong executive presidency. beently, there have term ofs over the president barzani and the presidency law. we recognize the need for internal reforms and the importance of ensuring those reforms through legislation and also a new constitution. krg official,f a

the dispute over the presidency is an unfortunate self inflict it won't. it comes at a moment when iraqi-kurdistan is on the brink of realizing its historic national aspirations. i have interacted with kurds over 30 years and have always found that they will contest to the 11th hour. at the end of the day, kurds know what suffering is about. they will put the national interest above self interest. to keepupon officials that in mind so that we can move beyond this impasse over the presidency. specifically, the report recommends that the krg settle the controversy peacefully over whether to have a presidential system, a parliamentary system, or a combination of the two. the new constitution which is long overdue should meet and exceed the highest international

standards for individual human rights, as well as the mystic, religious, ethnic, and national minority rights, including provisions for local autonomy. so that minority groups that are feelg in iraqi-kurdistan as though they are fully participating and have their interests upheld. needs to promote women's rights more vigorously by treating civil codes to promote equal rights, honor killings, and enforcing the ban on female genital relations. whenever i raise these concerns with kurdish officials over the years, they rightfully point out that the status of human rights in iraqi-kurdistan is much better than human rights in iraq as a whole. kurds,ld friend of the we feel it is incumbent to point out areas were they can still make improvements and to encourage them to take those steps.

we also recognize the importance of transparency. the failures and problems resulting from corruption and lack of transparency risk undermining prosperity and political stability in iraqi-kurdistan, as it would in any country in the middle east or in the world. our recommendations to the krg involve the prosecution and punishment of corrupt officials, regardless of their rank. civil servants -- servants need to be provided clear anticorruption guidelines, a code of conduct, especially when it comes to contracting. of course, the rule of law overall needs to be enforced. the data on oil revenue should be published so that it is known to all. in addition, there is a wealth of knowledge that exists in the international community on anticorruption activities. links to the un's global compact, transparency the industries

transparency initiative are all relevant to kurdistan's economic development. the comparable agency, including a complaints hotline, is possible for investigating instances of alleged corruption, would also improve the environment for doing business. my grandfather had an expression. he would say that the future is beckoningly bright. for kurdistan, we can say that is the case. the hydrocarbon sector is a pillar of the economy. it is estimated that they may have as much as for the 5 billion barrels of recoverable oil -- 45 billion barrels. as well as large natural gas reserves. is howblem for the krg to transport and monetize it hydrocarbon resources. traditional sectors such as agriculture are also important to the kurds who live off of land. it is a largely rural society. tourism has potential.

if visitors can travel freely and insecurity. -- in security. they need to invest in human capital and upgrade of rubber and systems, moving further toward the establishment of a modern information age economy. the overall economy in iraqi-kurdistan today suffers from over employment by the state and the lack of an economist banking system which limits financing and capital flows. there are important recommendations for each of these sectors. for the hydrocarbon fields, we propose that the krg diversify its expert options. it is also important that international oil companies working in iraqi-kurdistan are insured they will be paid as 's economic krg

crisis is addressed very concerns over nationalization of their assets should also be addressed. when it comes to banking and credit, there is a need for a central bank for iraqi kurdistan and eight transition from a cash-based economy to one with better banking and financing. you also need to foster a banking culture where citizens have public confidence in order to deposit their money into banks. needs a legal framework for retail and commercial banking. new york is a banking center. there are a number of bankers that i have spoken to there who would be more than pleased to lend their expertise and networks to the kurdistan regional government. food securityn of which is also related to water resources, we propose the conduct of a confidence of study of water resources. critical to sustainable agriculture, production, food security. would also enable the use of more modern irrigation

systems. the u.s. geological service has technical expertise that could be usefully brought to bear in partnership with the k rg. potential. great we talked before about the need for security. that is paramount. initially, tourism should be marketed to visitors from iraq and other middle eastern countries. as the situation improves, tourism outreach could be expanded to western and asian countries. fromarned a great deal christina about the question of education and human capital. there is a large percentage of the population which is employed by the state. steps are needed to strengthen the private sector by expanding employment benefits such as pensions, health care, unemployment insurance. overall, we recognize the significant steps that

iraqi-kurdistan has made over these years. in 1992 visit there was in february. there was no electricity. no heating. you go there today, it is a thriving metropolis. it is a well-managed city. the kurds have made the most of their opportunity for self-rule. threatened byis the economic state. in order to continue to develop its society economy, be a more full security partner with the united states, we cannot sit on the sidelines. we need to step up and work more closely and all of the areas that nancy and i have touched upon. i will cause their and asked jonathan if he has any questions. and we can open it to before. >> thank you very much. i am going to take advantage of the moderators prerogative and ask at least one question.

anis difficult enough for aspiring independent state at peace to achieve independence. to accomplish the steps that you have set out in your report. setting down this path in the midst of a war with no apparent is insight -- end in sight an everest sized challenge. timeframe is a vital element. can you talk about how you see that? of you avo the major risk another internal conflict corrupt in between baghdad and the kurds that would effectively, i think, eliminate any chance for liberating sal? that will be heavily dependent upon the kurds cooperation.

>> first of all, no one is more conscious of the challenge of the region than the kurds. it is a tough neighborhood with many challenges. therefore, they make it very clear that they will move towards independence in a deliberate, careful way that involves consultation. they are not going to do anything purchase it -- persimmon justly -- perci pitously. what is driving this is the iraqi regime. the unified iraq is a fiction. they have agreed to work with us, they have tried. baghdad left them. they didn't leave baghdad. one of the reasons we are doing this report is to have a wake-up call to policymakers that there is so -- no such thing as a unified iraq. we need to begin to help that

process go forward. what happens to the sunnis in iraq that are welcoming isis because they would rather have isis than the iranian backed militia that are shiia? that is a bad choice. in terms of a timeframe and the exact conditions, president ours on he told us he was first worried about isis. i think it is very much undecided. is things that are decided they are not going to work through baghdad again, they will work towards independence. is a book and of the aspirations of iraqi-kurdistan. he was born on the days and all of that. we were certainly assured there is no precipitous action. to have the international thatnity ignore the fact they are not working to baghdad anymore is a mistake her. >> it is important to see

baghdad for what it is, not for what we wish it were. the supply of weapons from russia to the base required oversight. through iran and iraq. u.s. officials on september 5 raised concerns with iraqi counterparts. they were ignored. we learned on a monday morning reading the international news that iran, iraq, russia, and syria have formed an agreement to share intelligence. recognize who to its friends are in the region. adversaries. after having spent joint of dollars and lost thousands of men and women who were not only killed but also maimed, i would have expected that washington would have had greater insolence over baghdad's behavior. it hasn't been acting in these recent weeks. as a friend or an ally. the kurds, over many years, have

demonstrated that they sure values with the west. they are working for closer -- with -- they are worthy of closer cooperation and partnership. >> we have seen the united states shift positions on independence. they have supported it, partitioned bosnia to try to get peace there. in your discussions with american officials, did you sense any movement towards shifting out of the one iraq policy? >> no. [laughter] >> i am going to differ with nancy a little bit. the public posture of these officials is adamantly supporting the one of iraq policy. i think there is a growing awareness in washington that iraqi kurdistan will become independent. as we recommend in the report, the u.s. should not stand in its way. nor should it encourage the disintegration of iraq. the u.s. needs to be prepared for all outcomes, including the

referendum on independence and ultimately the declaration of independence. we should not be caught flat-footed and in a position where we are not able to provide for our kurdish friends in the region. >> i would just add that they recognize the disintegration of iraq as a challenge. i would argue that the policy on how to address those challenges is lagging behind events on the ground quite radically. >> let's open it up to questions. there is a microphone are there. -- a microphone is right there. these identify yourself. >> i would like to ask both of you to extract -- extrapolate on the implication of an independent kurdistan, the partition of iraq and possibly syria, as well.

shouldn't we also be prepared for the reality of a shia stan, suunistan? isn't this the first step on that road? >> jonathan mentioned the artificial boundaries that were drawn are very much in question. i have been going to the middle east for decades. last year was the first time i heard people openly saying these borders are being challenged. i would say that they are being challenged less by the kurds. they are not talking about trying to affect the kurds in turkey or europe. they recognize that is not something they and salt. they are trying to protect themselves. the bigger question for the international community is what is going to happen to the sunni s? isis has taken over the sunni areas of iraq. it is taking over much of syria. what is going to happen to them, who is going to be protecting them?

when we foot the power balance in iraq in 2003, we sunnis andhised the they haven't had a protector since. thatis a question to me deserves great thinking by focusing on the atlantic council . in this room of what is going to happen there. integrity will be restored to both iraq and syria. isis will not stay there forever . how many people die in the process is a big question. i would argue that 200,000 have died in syria. twice that will die before this is done. it is an absolute horrific challenge. we need more efforts to retake those. you have to look at who is going to be the ongoing protector. >> what is in it for the sunnis if, for example, any rock they

always ring -- even with the kurds taken out of the equation, they will be an even smaller minority. many of the kurds are sunni. >> the international community will not let isis ferments terror and destruction in iraq and syria. it will be defeated. i have confidence of that. that is a longer conversation. i will ask david to jump in. -- ofthe subject sunnistan, there is one, it is called the islamic state. they are terrified by the islamic state which exert full control over those territories. we need to be honest about how we view the sunni regions and iraq. i also want to underscore that when we talk about the past independence, we are speaking only about iraqi-kurdistan. admire the steps

that syrian kurds have taken to establish grassroots marker see, sustainable environment of practices, women's rights. we are not proposing a greater kurdistan. he may someday be a confederate part ofyria shich also establishes links to iraqi-kurdistan. we are not envisioning a greater kurdistan that would absorb territories in syria, turkey, or iran. we are explicit in our recommendations that the arg is to make clear to its neighbors that it harbors no such ambitions. our impression that that is the case. i think that is where the iraqi-kurds are. the larger question of what and iraq, the sunnis i have yet to hear a coherent answer from anywhere.

>> to continue the atlantic , i am a senior fellow at the line to counsel. dealing with oil and gas in eurasia. separateon is can we -- a separate package of measures that would facilitate the investment into oil and gas in iraqi kurdistan? you mentioned moving away from the cash economy. that is important. strengthening the legal framework of the oil and gas law , strengths and -- strengthen the institutions. they have an outstanding oil and guest minister -- oil and gas minister, but when it comes to transactions, things are not always smooth. describe the measures that could really put and eventually

independent kurdistan on the map in terms of oil and gas? >> transparency is going to be important. it is going to have to develop its hydrocarbon sector. there needs to be some kind of revenue or profit sharing so that the people of iraqi kurdistan benefit more fully. there was a very strong strategic partnership between turkey and iraqi-kurdistan. it was based on the commercial and trade links between turkey and markets in iraq and iraqi kurdistan. also, the transport of oil largely goes to the port of jay -- ineastern military and the mediterranean. the k argie sent an envoy -- the

krg sent an envoy to turkey asking for help, any turks on several reasons not to assist. the first was the presidential election coming up in august 10, the second reason was possession by isis of turkish hostages. we need to restore that strategic ridership. -- partnership. that cannot happen in a vacuum. that needs to be concert with turkey addressing its own turkish -- kurdish issues. awarding greater cultural and put all rights to the 18-20,000,000 kurds who live in .urkey they would create an environment that is conducive to reinvigorating a strategic partnership. >> anybody else? >> i think i will just take the question. >> i am david pollock, i'm with the washington policy institute.

-- had the treated privilege to host many kurdish delegations. you are all invaded -- invited. question is about iran. turkey is, inhile my judgment, still very much opposed to full independence just for iraqi kurdistan, leave aside kurds anywhere else, iran is even more adamantly opposed. i wanted to know what, specifically, you would recommend for the united states, the international community, and for the kurds themselves by way of addressing that? think most of the world

right now strongly opposes unilateral declarations of independence. that is not what the kurds are talking about. they are defective independent and have been since 91. page tried to work after the invasion of 2003, but as we have seen, that has fallen apart. will never get anything but acquiescence from the neighbors. it is a question of how can you have the support of the u.s., the european union, and others ay this is a process with a clear international roadmap, observers, and a process which will put at ease the aspirations or a pen kurdistan state. aspirations for a sudden with no preparation is not on the table. both of us have been going there for decades. kurds are not going to work

through baghdad anymore. they are building up these elements of a state that will help it be a stable pocket of which is in the region in the united states interest to support in a responsible way. we did not hear anyone talking about anything precipitous or sudden. on the -- no timetable table. we are try to have a wake-up call so that we can manage it precisely so that turkey, iran, syria are part of the discussion going forward. be a state, you have to go to the un security council. all of that is way down the road. i don't see russia agreeing to do that with the security council anytime soon. there are lots of steps. earsdeclared independence ago, and it still does not have a flag flying at the run. ,his case, in particular caution will be the name of any

process. >> it may also be a model given the fact that there are a lot of people who are pushing for greater albanian. it has remained separate that that is not a movement. in february.ere macedonia has a large ethnic albanian population. albania is right next door, too. perhaps that is a model. i do not know. >> let me add a quick point. the development of institutions and iraqi kurdistan can have a positive effects, not only on kurds in the neighboring states, but also among those countries as a whole. iraq being kurds in an engine for reform and democratization. for iraq and its neighbors. >> that is exactly what those governments do not want. next democratization is a process, not an event. we may have to be patient. use all of our persuasion and

resources to try to advance our goal. >> good afternoon. i am the kurdistan regional government representative to the united states. i would like to thank you for taking on this task. thank you as a kurd for coming to the conclusion that we are on a steady march toward independence. we are. it will be an independent kurdistan. i can assure you of that. i would love to invite all of you to come to our celebrations. is i would really love for you to flesh out a little bit more why it is in the united states interest that there should be an independent kurdistan? as a kurd, i know i it is in my countrymen's interest. we have suffered repeated genocide by being part of iraq.

we are under threat of further genocide. ourchristians, we have had oil industry hijacked by previous regimes. the current government and the previous one have held our economy hostage. there are many benefits to the us to become independent. what are the benefits of the united states? , think the people of america state department, other friends need to hear more about why it is to their benefit to have a strategic partnership with an independent kurdistan. >> i will address that briefly. always -- already good secure operation -- already a good secure operation. believe that security operation can be deepened and become more effective when iraqi kurdistan is an independent

state. nancy talked about the establishment of a u.s. base when it becomes independent. right now the primary goal in the region is counterterrorism. the only group that showed commitment and capability to fighting isis are -- need toto cop -- we cooperate with them more fully in their present form. as iraqi kurdistan becomes more viable and sovereign to find ways to strengthen their cooperation. >> iraqi kurdistan is a sea of stability in a region of neither. for the united states to have a will be serving

our interests. these troubles are not going away. we have a great friend in turkey and a nato ally. it is directly in our u.s. interests. explaining to the american public clearly why that is is a very good suggestion which we will take on. nancy says we have a great friend and ally in turkey. certainly they have been a great friend and ally. the preferred status can be restored. the humano occur rights record needs to dramatically in -- dramatically improve. perhaps we could take more questions and rapid up there.

>> 19 years of collecting taxes from people there. consider, you should what does it mean, what does it include, and how they are going to defend that? and what do you consider the position of the pkk now being present in the character study and not allowing them to have any say in that study? >> i am a member of the task force hoping to make one comment that is relevant to questions that have been posed. the key part of the one iraq fall -- one iraq policy or

fantasy that is being sustained by washington is that washington does not recognize curtis stands constitutional rights to export its own oil. those constitutional rights are unambiguous. i think washington knows the truth. washington's lawyers were pretty happy with the constitution of iraq. could simple measure that be adopted by american policymakers is to be neutral on the constitutional dispute between baghdad and curtis stand, which would allow kurdistan to export its own oil, which would be a critical part of consolidating. --o kurdistan excel at it kristen consolidating its right or consolidating its path to independence.

>> on the question of constitutional rights you called for the u.s. to have neutrality. i would go a step further. actively obstructing the kurdish oil was uncalled for. they would have been better to address the isis invasion. the early question is quite right, they subsequently have made greater efforts and had and positive outcomes creating protections. they need to do more to protect

ethnic and religious minorities across kurdistan by not only providing security but also legal guarantees. its -- closeose with thank you for your comments. there is no one who knows the legal issues better. in terms of the performance of the forces and the presence of issues, none of these are easy and none of them are going to go away tomorrow. they are not perfect. they need more support in our view. eventually our international community will come around. that