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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Iraq locked in charter talks |
| 2005-08-26 |
| IRAQI negotiators are locked in last-ditch talks to convince disgruntled Sunni Arabs to sign up to the draft constitution after missing a third deadline for a parliament vote. The majority Shiites were under pressure to shelve their demand for Kurdish-style autonomy in a bid to win over the Sunnis, whose support was seen as crucial in efforts to end the deadly insurgency, a Kurdish negotiator said. "Today is the final day, and the last chance to discuss the draft constitution. We hope to reach an agreement that would satisfy everyone," Mahmud Othman said. Iraq cancelled a parliament session to approve the draft constitution as the protracted negotiations between the Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis were unable to reach a consensus on thorny issues yesterday. But Parliament Speaker Hajim al-Hasani said the draft would be put to the nation in an October 15 referendum, even if it failed to win overall consensus. The constitution, key to the war-torn country's political transition and an eventual withdrawal of foreign troops, has been dogged by differences on federalism, the role of Islam and sharing of oil wealth. The latest political haggling comes against a backdrop of violence following clashes between rival Shiite groups and the discovery of the bodies of 37 men, who had been tortured and executed men, in a stream south of Baghdad. Today, rebels killed at least 11 people across Iraq, including two policemen shot dead by gunmen in the restive Sunni town of Baquba, while two Danish soldiers were wounded in southern Iraq in a roadside bombing. Negotiators said talks were focusing on the main sticking point – federalism – to persuade Shiites to give up demands for autonomy in the southern and central regions. "There are attempts to convince the (Shiite) alliance to leave the issue of federalism in other parts of Iraq (south and centre) for the next parliament to deal with, and also to implement it gradually over two or three years," Mr Othman said. The Shiite demand for a Kurdish-type autonomy is largely fuelled by a desire to control a chunk of the country's vast oil reserves located in the Shiite south. The Sunni Arabs, dominant under ousted dictator Saddam Hussein but now under-represented in Parliament, have been opposing their demands, fearing that a federal structure will rob them of the oil wealth. Mr Othman said the Sunnis were nevertheless showing signs of softening their demands. Sources close to negotiations said the main reason for the sustained delay was that Iraqi leaders and US officials are keen to get Sunni approval and weaken the insurgency. "I think that the support for the insurgency will probably broaden if the Sunnis feel like their interests are not protected," US General John Vines, head of the multinational troops in Iraq, said. Mr Othman said the Sunnis also opposed any reference to Saddam's Baath Party in the constitution. "Sunni Arabs say that there is a law stipulating banning the Baath Party, and that there is no need to mention Baath in the constitution," he said. One article in the constitution's first chapter entitled Fundamental Principles bans any entity that advocates racism, terrorism or ethnic cleansing, especially the Baath Party even under a new name. Hundreds of supporters of Saddam took to the streets of Baquba and the mixed northern oil centre of Kirkuk to demonstrate against the draft constitution. "Sunni Arabs are determined to defeat the constitution if they feel eliminated," protester Sheikh Abdel Karim al-Jaburi said. The Sunnis, who largely boycotted the January elections, are gearing up for a show of strength in the planned December elections that could lead to a new power equation in parliament. "We believe that federalism should be postponed until the next parliament (is elected)," said Sunni negotiator Hassib Arif al-Obaidi. "We think that circumstances are not suitable at the moment to implement it. We need a peaceful environment in the presence of a balanced national assembly, in which we can discuss this matter adequately." In Iraq's 275-member national assembly, the Shiites and Kurds jointly hold about 210 seats, while the Sunnis hold around two dozen. |
| Posted by:God Save The World |
| #1 The Kurds are on the Sunnis side on this, since a Shiite autonomous area does them no good, and deemphasizes the "specialness" of the Kurdish zone. And of course the Kurds are close to the Americans, who badly want a deal. And the Kurds are straining against the Shiites on the religion issues. Now the Shiites are offering to postpone settlement of federalism till the next parliament. Which seems pretty good for the Sunnis - the Shiite alliance only holds 52% of the current parliament, and if the Sunnis turn out in the next elections, as seems likely, the Shiite alliance loses its majority, and the others can block a Shiite autonomy. BUT - thats assuming the Kurds, Sunni arabs, and the Allawi list can stay united. Basically, it means the Sunnis have to trust their fate to the Kurds. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2005-08-26 16:38 |