| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq-Jordan |
| U.S. Envoy Presses Iraq To Ensure Equal Rights |
| 2005-08-07 |
| BAGHDAD, Aug. 6 -- The U.S. ambassador to Iraq pressed the country's Shiite Arab majority on Saturday to respect the rights of women and minorities as political parties worked toward a draft constitution that has stalled on issues that include the role of religion. U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad issued a statement about equal rights after a meeting with unspecified Iraqi religious leaders. "I assured them that the United States believes strongly that the Iraqi constitution should provide equal rights before the law for all Iraqis regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion or sect," Khalilzad said. "There can be no compromise." Discussion about the extent to which Iraq's constitution should follow Islamic law have fed fears by some that the Shiite-led governing coalition will impose a strict interpretation of Islam. Iraqi political leaders were scheduled to meet Sunday to seek agreement on outstanding constitutional issues, including the role of religion and the extent of federalism. |
| Posted by:Steve White |