DAILY IRAQI WEBSITE MONITORING - September 8, 2005

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 003695 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ, INR/P E.0. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO IZ SUBJECT: DAILY IRAQI WEBSITE MONITORING - September 8, 2005 SUMMARY: Discussion on the Constitution was the major editorial theme of Iraqi, Arabic language websites on September 8, 2005. END SUMMARY. -------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS -------------- ¶A. "What Justice?" (Iraq4all News, 9/8) ¶B. "Has the Iraqi Constitution Achieved Justice for Women?" (Modern Discussion, 9/8) ¶C. "Demonstration in Sulaimaniyah: An Early Test of the Credibility of the Constitution" (Al-Jeeran, 9/8) ¶D. "The New Iraqi Constitution: The Selling of Kirkuk to the Kurds" (Iraqi Papers, 9/8) ¶E. "Farewell Iraqi Unity" (Al-Rayah, 9/8) -------------- SELECTED COMMENTARIES ¶A. "What Justice?" (Editorial by Wahab Baderkhan - Iraq 4 all news: http://iraq4all.org) "It's been observed that Arab governments have been silent over the Iraqi draft constitution which is normal since this is an Iraqi domestic issue. But this doesn't mean these governments don't hold opinions in this regard, but their choice to remain silent is due to Iraqi leaders' decisions to deal with the important issue of the constitution in the same manner they have dealt with other issues since the start of occupation. "Iraqi leaders have sent out messages to Arab leaders (in diplomatic, and sometimes, non-diplomatic manners) informing them that they have neglected Iraq and demonstrated that fact with their support for the previous regime and lack of sympathy or support for qhe opposition to Saddam (that was sponsored only by the U.S. which has now a3tmed power). So the only party with the right to assess the new constitution is the U.S., but George Bush's administration has shown that it only needs a constitutional document, any constitutional document, to defend its policy by illustrating that everything is going according to schedule, and that ratifying the draft is a step on the way to "withdrawal from Iraq" which has become a popular American demand. "There's no doubt that the Arab League will encounter the problem created by the Iraqi constitution through asking the question: Is Iraq an Arab country? And it's normal that no decision will be made to force Iraq into anything it doesn't seek, but it's also normal that the `Arab identity' isn't related to a specific religion or sect. "There are many who have decided to stick to their opinions and submit the current draft to a referendum next month, but the fact is that the Arab identity isn't the only drawback in this draft. The other problem resident in the document is the proposal to form a new system, (i.e. federalism and other divisive mechanisms). The best assessment of the constitution should be presented by its drafters by drawing a clear image for what Iraq will look like in the next five years. Except for Kurdistan, no one can really predict what Iraq will look like. "Many items in the constitution have been linked to laws that are to be issued later, which only means one thing, the constitution's drafters have stated principles they can only attempt to enact in the future, which has led to the omission of personal freedoms and the decreasing likelihood of achieving justice." ¶B. "Has the Iraqi Constitution Achieved Justice for Women?" (Editorial by Catrine Mikhael - Modern Discussion: http://www.rezgar.com) "The composition of the National Assembly was based on ethnic, religious, and political power sharing that was clearly reflected in the constitutional committee and resulted in a draft constitution unrepresentative of the ambitions of large sectors of Iraqis (i.e. women). And since women represent 60% of the Iraqi population, it's not possible to build a democracy while neglecting over half the population. But despite this, I consider voting for the draft constitution a very important step for us, with amendments to some items in the `rights' section of the draft (where certain items are contradictory: stating that no legislation could oppose Islam and that no legislation should contradict the principles of democracy). I have no idea how these two articles can be reconciled. "When religious principles become the source of national legislation and the basis of family law, this means granting social authority to those monopolizing the interpretation of religion and will result in conflicting visions among clerics with women and minority groups ending up as the main losers. "So here, I state the demands of the Iraqi Women's Movement that include: ¶1. Acknowledging the rights of Iraqi women as mothers, workers, and citizens in the constitution. ¶2. Constitutional guarantees preventing all forms of violence and discrimination against women. ¶3. Constitutional guarantees for no less than 40% of women's representation in all decision making posts. ¶4. Constitutional acknowledgment of all international agreements and treaties as a source of legislation. ¶5. Maintaining personal status laws and preventing any replacement by sectarian alternatives." ¶C. "Demonstration in Sulaimaniyah: An Early Test of the Credibility of the Constitution" (Uncited Editorial - Al-Jeeran: http://www.aljeeran.net) "A Kurdish citizen was killed and 16 were injured in one of the most violent demonstrations the government of Sulaimaniyah has ever faced in Kurdistan which is led by the PUK party. More than 1,500 people from the Kalar district took part in the demonstration which witnessed ferocious confrontations. They were requesting improvement of essential services, specifically water and electricity when demonstrators started throwing stones at the mayor's building and security forces started shooting which led to the killing of one demonstrator and the injury of 16 others. Later, demonstrators gathered in front of the hospital where the injured were transferred and new clashes erupted. "Mr. Majeed Saleh, a public relations official in the PUK stated that, "The demonstrators burned the directorate of education in the city, the fire station, the pediatric hospital, a building of the Kurdistan Women's Union, and a radio station. "Accordingly, security forces detained hundreds of demonstrators in a scene most observers believe has had a negative impact and provoked inquiries regarding freedom of assembly in Kurdistan. What is required from the authorities in Sulaimaniyah and Kalar is an investigation into the reasons behind the use of deadly force against demonstrators. "One of the demonstrators, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that a group of demonstrators had requested official permission for the demonstration from the mayor and security directorate but `the authorities refused to grant permission.' As a matter of fact he said, it encouraged demonstrators to practice their democratic rights under the new Iraq." ¶D. "The New Iraqi Constitution: The Selling of Kirkuk to the Kurds" (Editorial by Sabri Tarbeh - Iraqi Papers: http://www.iraqipapers.com/9_5_5_sabri.htm) "The following passage was written in the American Constitution of Iraq: `The Arab people in Iraq are part of the Arab nation.' It is well known who is behind this article and that it's a scheme (on behalf of many parties) to divide Iraq and transform it into sectarian and nationalist cantons despite the fact that Iraq is a founding member of the Arab League; and it is illogical to accept Iraq's partial [i.e. divided] membership in the Arab League. "The most dangerous element in the American Constitution of Iraq is the concession of the agent's authority over Kirkuk for the interest of the Kurdish/ Zionist partners. These powers claimed patriotism and said in public that Kirkuk, which produces 60% of Iraq's oil, is an Iraqi city whose ownership is considered a red line that shouldn't be crossed. "Those under orders from their American masters turned into sheep and sold Kirkuk to the Kurds when they omitted item `C' from Article 53 of the TAL which prohibited the joining of Kirkuk or Baghdad with any federal region. Instead, in the most despicable constitution, two substitute articles (136 & 137) gave the Kurds two, one-year opportunities to manipulate Kirkuk's demography to fabricate and fake a constitution to allow them to annex Kirkuk with Kurdistan. When that happens Iraq will lose the majority of its oil fortune because of a deal among agents to resurrect the Haifa/ Kirkuk oil project which aims to provide the Zionist Entity with its oil needs. "Through that deal the agent of the coalition unveiled his ugly face. The image is now more transparent after the sale of Kirkuk. But the victorious Iraqi people won't accept national treason for a constitution--they will absolutely reject it." ¶E. "Farewell Iraqi Unity" (Uncited Editorial - Al-Rayah: http://www.raya.com/site/topics/article.asp?c u_no=2&item_no= 95558&version=1&template_id=27&parent_id=23) "Apart from the total destruction of the infrastructure, killing of children, the elderly and women, humiliating and detainingQn, and torturing people of all categories, the greatest problem Iraq and Arab nations face is Iraq's division and disintegration into small states, in the name of federalism, among Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis--especially following the Iraqi parliament's approval of the draft constitution which carries the poisons of discord and division and hasn't maintained Iraq's rights, freedoms or unity of land, people and identity. "Bush's intention is clear and what the American occupation seeks through Iraqi federalism, the division of the country, will be repeated to tear the Islamic nation apart and dilute Arab unity. "What we are witnessing through Iraq's war: the occupation, humiliation, torture and disintegration of the country is very painful. We as Arabs and Muslims should intervene immediately and support Iraq politically, financially, and morally to help it maintain its Arab nature and unity otherwise we will bid it farewell forever and bid farewell to our Arab unity." SATTERFIELD