SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI EDITORIAL SUMMARY,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 003392

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SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI EDITORIAL SUMMARY,
AUGUST 16, 2005

SUMMARY: The major editorial themes in Iraqi newspapers on
August 16, 2005 focused on the constitution; specifically
the issues of federalism, the role of Shari'a, federalism
and the lack of sound economic policy.
END SUMMARY.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A. "Our Constitution in a Free Space Now" (Al-Adala)

B. "Economical Notes about the Iraqi Constitution" (Al-
Mutamar)

C. "The Meaning of Federalism" (Al-Mashriq)

D. "About the Constitution Too" (Al-Zaman)

E. "Federalism Experience Success in Iraq" (Al-Zaman)

F. "Our Constitution...Our Future" (Baghdad Newspaper)

G. "Federalism and the Unified Iraq" (Al-Sabah)

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COMMENTARIES
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A. "Our Constitution in a Free Space Now"
(Al-Adala Newspaper (SCIRI) in Arabic P 2 Article by Dhia
Abdul-Razak)

The author believes that Islam and Shari'a should be the
primary source for the new constitution and its laws, but
not the only source. He claims to represent the educated
Muslim Shi'a of Iraq and indicates that they support current
Iraqi government policy. He states that SCIRI and most
Shi'a want a strong inclusion of Islam in the new
government, but do not want a government similar to that in
Iran. He urges the reader to give the drafting committee
enough time to properly finish a constitution that the
public will appreciate and respect. "The average Iraqi is
anxious for the constitutional draft announcement, as it
represents a decisive moment for the political future of
Iraq."
The constitution differs from others in the Arab and third
world, as it is being drafted under mutual free will and a
democratic process after decades of a dictatorial
government. All Iraqi political blocs, sects and even
individuals have been free to participate in the drafting of
the constitution, and express their demands. It is natural
that there will be disagreements and compromises that will
result in the need for more time. However, a thoughtful and
deliberate process will result in a strong, healthy
constitution, capable of assisting the Iraqis in weather
their current and future crises.


B. "Economical Notes about the Iraqi Constitution"
(Al-Mutamar Newspaper in Arabic Article by Kamil Abbas
Mahdy)

The author criticizes the initial draft of the constitution,
stating that it fails to protect the economic rights of
Iraqis. He states that the language in the constitution
fails to give the national wealth of Iraq to all of the
people, rather it relates the wealth directly to the
provinces. "It fails to address important points such as
environmental protection and proper financial
administration." He specifically refers to section three,
item 6a, where the draft constitution addresses the
government's responsibility for preparing general budget and
development plans, and indicates that it should include a
general financial policy for the country, including the
provinces, governorates and governmental directorates. He
says that it does not adequately address the government's
responsibility in identifying commercial policies, capital
transfer and organizing the economical environment's
policies. He also says the constitution draft fails to
clarify the government's responsibility to address economic
and social issues like unemployment, social insurance, human
resources development and public services, besides woman
rights. "The shape of the drafted constitution is not good
for a modern country."


C. "The Meaning of Federalism"
(Al-Mashriq Newspaper in Arabic P 7 Editorial by Shamil
Abdul Qadir)

"Iraqi politicians do not have a clear and specific
understanding of federalism. For a majority of Iraqi
politicians, it is simply a word that they are being told to
agree with or disagree with. Many politicians do not
distinguish between federalism and non-centralism, autonomy
and local government, or between administrative and
provincial federalism. Also, there are some who do not
discriminate between independence and separation when
discussing Iraqi national identity." The author goes on to
claim that the Kurds have the right to oppose putting
federalism to a vote because at this time both the
politicians and the Iraqi people do not fully understand
federalism.
The author supports the Kurdish idea of federalism saying,
"Why should we oppose federalism in Iraq while this
experiment has been successful in many other countries?" He
indicates that the Kurdish leaders do not want to separate
from Iraq. "There is no statement for any Kurdish leader
now or in the past that calls for separation. These
accusations come from Iran and Turkey."


D. "About the Constitution Too"
(Al-Zaman Newspaper in Arabic P 6 by Mohammed Sa'doun Al
Sbahi)

"All of Iraq's political leaders should participate in
writing the constitution." The author says that the few
people who are writing it now were elected last January
30th. Iraq's elections caused a lot a trouble for the
Iraqis. It doesn't matter that these problems are common
for new democracies especially when it is being attempted in
a country that suffered under a totalitarian nightmare for
over three decades. The writer warns that the Sunnis,
Shiites, Turkomen, Kurds, or Assyrians want to control their
own interests. It is important for everyone in Iraq to
participate in writing the constitution because it is a
national privilege.


E. "Federalism Experience Success in Iraq"
(Al-Zaman in Arabic P15 Article by Laila Al-Jnabi)

The author states that the success of Iraq's federal system
depends upon the government adopting the opinions of the
majority. She stresses that the government must begin
political programs that ensure Iraq's unity. She supports
the idea of federalism by saying "since our country is made
up of many religions, many ethnicities and many cultures,
federalism ensures Iraq's unity.


F. "Our Constitution . . . Our Future"
(Baghdad Newspaper in Arabic P 3 a reaction editorial to the
Al-Iraqiya show "Our Constitution...Our Future" by Ahmed Al-
Hili)

"There is a concern among many moderate Iraqis who don't
want religion to be included in every aspects of life, that
the constitution places too much emphasis on religion," the
author states. This is especially true for secularists and
the people who hold views that can be considered leftists.
He criticizes the show "Our Constitution ... Our Future,"
because the hosts were chosen from the Iraqi Alliance List
which means they represent a particular point of view that
is against pluralism. He added that most of the guests
(members of the National Assembly) debated with their
counterparts in an unfair manner. They pretended to be
smarter than them, and made decisive judgments about what
Islam allows and what is prohibits. It's worth mentioning,
the author says, that the National Assembly representatives
(all are from IAL) tried to infer that Iraq is different
than other countries. They also said that issues such as
personal freedom, establishing human rights, and emphasizing
the role civil society and intellectual pluralism are
impossible in our society as they go against our values,
customs and traditions.


G. "Federalism and the Unified Iraq"
(Al-Sabah Newspaper in Arabic P 27 Article by Muhammad Mehdi
Alasifi)

The author states that he rejects federalism. He cannot
accept the idea of Iraq being split up into parts. However,
he believes that it is the legal right for the Kurds, the
Shi'is and the Sunnis to govern themselves. The Kurds and
the Shi'is are important members of Iraq's society. They
share the same sufferings and had their culture, their
language, their civilization, and their traditions denied to
them during the reign of Saddam Hussein. The author
stresses that Iraq is made up of many parts and federalism
will only lead to division and separation.