forces in iraq from 2007 to 2010; and, by feisal istrabadi.s a former iraqi ambassador to the united nations and helped write iraq's interim constitution. welcome to both of you. let me start with you, emma sky. this has happened so quickly. what exactly has the iraqi government done? >> the iraqi government has deployed its forces back up north into kirkuk, and since 2003 the kurds have made it clear they want to include kirkuk within their territory in order to proceed with gaining independence which has always been their goal. but kirkuk is important to iraq itself, and no iraqi prime minister can afford to lose kirkuk, so you can see the reaction that is taking place following the referendum on independence which happened september 25th and also included the disputed territories in the city of kirkuk. >> woodruff: feisal istrabadi, what can you add to why the iraqi government is so set on taking over the city? >> well, a couple of reasons. first, as emma just said, it is a part of the disputed territories which are legally and constitution