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Sunday, August 28, 2005
Iraq's constitution: the final discussions...
| Dr. Sallama Al-Khafaji (Assembly member from the SCIRI) announced 5 minutes ago on Al-Iraqia TV that many of the disputed points that were delaying the completion of the constitution have been solved and that the word "Party" (which the Sunni CDC members had objections on) was omitted from the clause that deals with deba'athification and now the clause refers to the Saddamist Ba'ath without calling it a "party"! Dr. Khafaji said that further delays are not expected and voting will take place later today. She said that everyone is awaiting Mr. Hachim Al-Hasani to decide the time for the voting session as he is the chairman of the National Assembly. Update: (1:00 pm local time). Montasir Al-Imara (Assembly member) confirmed that voting on the draft will take place in the coming few hours but also said "There are 153 clauses in the draft and naturally these clauses won't satisfy all Sunnis as Sunnis or all Kurds as Kurds but it's a project for a nation that looks at everyone's interests. The draft concentrated on equality among all Iraqis and there will be no 2nd degree citizens". Update: (1:10 pm local time). Baha Al-Araji (CDC member) said a few minutes ago that the latest modified version of the draft has been signed by the majority of the CDC members who are present today. He pointed out that some federalism-related points will be shifted to the next National Assembly for discussion and approval. Update: (2:10 pm local time). Hussein Falluji (Sunni CDC member) told Al-Arabiya TV that the committee of the "marginalized" (in reference to the Sunni politicians) is holding a separate meeting right now for the purpose of preparing an announcemnet to clarify the "challenges and pressures" they were subjected to: We did not have sectarian or partisan demands; all we care about is the unity of Iraq...we're arranging for a large campaign now to tell the people the truth about what happened. After all, it's all up to the people to decide since the people are the source of authority and sovereignty. All we asked for was to be given more time because we were expected to deal with all of Iraq's chronic problems in a matter of only two months! Update: (2:55 pm local time). The National Assembly has just started its session. Humam Hammodi made a short introductory speech where he pointed out that this constittution is "not a holy text" and that amendmendts can follow in the future. A representatives of each political, ethnic, religious faction will be reading a part of the draft in front of the National Assembly. Update: (3:35 pm local time). While the draft is still being read, Salih Al-Mutlaq confirmed again that none of the 15 Sunni members of the CDC have signed the draft. Al-Mutlaq also highlighted the American role in bridging the gap between the different parties involved in the process but he put the blame on the other parties (the Sheat and the Kurds) for focusing on "their narrow partisan and sectarian" interests. Our only difference we had with the Americans was about setting a rigid timetable for completing the process. Al-Mutlaq also explained that their objections are limited to a few points and that they agree with large parts of constitution and he stressed that they (the Sunni parties) will fully participate in the future phases of the political process. He also called on the people who are not satidfied with the darft to avoid violence and keep practicing their normal daily activities and express thier opinion in peace. It's worth mentioning that Hachim Al-Hasani (chairman of the Assembly) is not present at the current session. Update (4:10 pm local time). The whole draft has been read, now the session is over and tomorrow will be a special session dedicated to making an "elections law". |
