erbil/kirkuk iraq unite state western ally press iraqi kurdish leaders ditch risky independence vote thursday present alternative plan attempt avoid conflict oil rich region central government baghdad referendum slat sept. 25 become potential flashpoint region western power concern could ignite conflict baghdad divert attention war islamic state militants head referendum sept. 25 prospect international legitimacy brett mcgurk u.s. special envoy tell reporters delegation also include u.n. britain meet kurdish president massoud barzani risky process mcgurk say encourage kurdish leaders could embrace alternative plan focus dialogue kurdistan region baghdad delay referendum refuse give detail kurdish presidency say autonomous region political leaders would study proposal without give detail barzani late quote local media tell pro-independence rally vote would go ahead sept. 25 plan move come iraq parliament vote remove governor kirkuk staunch supporter kurdish independence kirkuk governor najmaddin kareem say intention follow baghdad dismissal order issue behest prime minister haider al-abadi stay office tell reuters referendum go plan ... prime minister power ask parliament remove iraqi lawmakers authorize abadi week take measure preserve national unity independence referendum baghdad iraq neighbor oppose vote iraqi lawmakers say consolidate kurdish control several dispute areas include oil-rich kirkuk turkey region large kurdish population fear yes vote could fuel separatism southeast kurdish militants wag insurgency three decades 40,000 people kill iran syria also oppose vote fear could fan separatism among kurdish populations iraqi lawmakers say referendum consolidate kurdish control several dispute areas include oil-rich kirkuk kirkuk province claim central government baghdad barzani semi-autonomous kurdish region northern iraq kareem vocal supporter referendum campaign vote also hold kirkuk kurds long claim kirkuk huge oil reserve regard city outside kurdistan region northern iraq historical capital ethnically mix city also arab turkmen populations kareem long rile federal government last spring kirkuk governorate vote raise kurdish flag state build despite baghdad insistence iraq national flag fly multi-ethnic city kareem elect governor council kirkuk say hoshyar zebari close adviser president barzani body remove escalate tactics week iraqis cause large public backlash strengthen kurdish referendum enormously zebari say kurdish mps iraq parliament boycott thursday vote produce majority governor removal lawmaker husham al-suhail tell reuters ask whether parliament right dismiss kareem suhail refer article iraq provincial law parliament use legal basis vote stipulate prime minister authority remove regional governor suhail give detail kareem accuse kareem say inform unlawful ... support government council support people continue say western power press iraq kurd leaders shelve 'very risky independence vote