MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI GOVERNMENT, CONSTITUTION,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 004025

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: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI GOVERNMENT, CONSTITUTION,
TERRORISM, ELECTIONS, POLITICAL PARTIES; BAGHDAD


SUMMARY: Discussion on the Constitution, Terrorism,
Elections, and Political Parties were the major editorial
themes of the daily newspapers on September 28, 2005. END
SUMMARY.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A. "Why Was Article 44 Struck from the Draft Constitution?"
(Az-Zaman, 9/28)

B. "New Political Parties and Sudden Competition" (Al-Sabah
Al-Jadeed, 9/28)

C. "The Wise Opinion" (Al-Adala, 9/28)

D. "Who Rejects the Cessation of Bloodshed in Iraq?" (Al-
Ittihad, 9/28)

E. "Childhood and Terrorism" (Al-Fourat, 9/28)

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SELECTED COMMENTARIES
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A. "Why Was Article 44 Struck from the Draft Constitution?"
(Az-Zaman, independent, anti-coalition published this page-
four editorial by Ali Dhiya' Al-Din)
"The first version of the draft constitution that was
published in local newspapers on August 30th seemed to
reflect a triumph for the principles of freedom and
democracy; the first draft included several articles and
paragraphs that reinforce democracy and freedom. Since then,
Iraqi intellectuals have feared that such triumphs would
disappear and unfortunately those fears have multiplied
since the final draft was published-a draft that annuls
Article 44 that committed Iraq to abide by international
agreements.

"Why has this article been annulled? It has no deficiencies
and it deals with human rights in accordance with
international law. Why did the constitution's drafters
cancel it if they wanted to draft a standard constitution?
It is our understanding that international laws and
agreements do not violate, tyrannize, or discriminate
against nations, sects, and religions. International laws
and agreements have granted independence to colonized
countries, prevented all types of racial and gender
discrimination, and protected people from torture and abuse.
If we read the texts of international laws and agreements we
would observe that they were written to promote humanity and
protect dignity and honor. For all these reasons, we would
like to know why the constitution's drafters wanted to
marginalize those noble values and protections that all
developed countries enjoy."


B. "New Political Parties and Sudden Competition"
(Al-Sabah Al-Jadeed, independent, published this page-eight
editorial by Mu'ayyad Abdul Zahra)

"The Independent Electoral Commission in Iraq (IECI) has
announced that there are 67 (of a total of 122) political
parties registered to contend in the coming election, none
of whom participated in the previous election. This number
illustrates that there are many parties vying for power in
the next government. This wide variety of political parties
and alliances is working hard to prepare for the coming
election and this represents the spirit of openness and
democracy. This pluralism will enable Iraqi voters to elect
their desired candidates.

"However, this variety of political parties and entities may
raise several questions:
What are the platforms of these political parties? Moreover,
who is supporting and funding these new political entities
and why has the number of parties increased as the deadline
for the election approaches? Some people may say that those
new political entities have the right to form, participate,
or compete in the political process but is it right to have
such a large number of political parties? This large number
reminds us of the past election and its results. Some people
think that some of these parties represent hidden
organizations scheming to gain power. On the other hand,
some people believe that establishing electoral alliances is
the best way to ensure that the large political parties will
not engulf smaller parties--the upcoming election will
witness new political alliances and political advertising.
We all hope that the coming electoral process will absorb
lessons learned from the former election for our own
interests."


C. "The Wise Opinion"
(Al-Adala, daily, no bias, affiliated with SCIRI led by
Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, published this page-three editorial by
Dr. Ali-Khalif)
"Some who have specific agendas to implement in Iraq have
become upset following the recent progress of the Iraqi
political process. Those disgruntled groups went on to
address the Iraqi people in such a provocative way that they
forgot that Iraqis follow their wise religious authorities.
Those groups became frenzied when they heard that the
religious authorities issued a statement on the referendum
and began looking for an explanation on what the statement
meant; they later saw it was a fatwa which declared it was
not a legal imperative to participate in the upcoming
referendum.
"On the other hand, they point out that the religious
authorities did not recommend voting `Yes' in the
referendum. Those groups started to report news about the
religious authorities, thinking that such information would
deceive the Iraqi people. This does not mean that the
religious authorities control the rights of Iraqis and
prevent them from expressing their free opinions; in fact,
it means that the Iraqi people believe the religious
authorities know better how to analyze the legislative and
legal texts in the constitution. At the same time, it is up
to citizens to choose what they think is best for them.
Without a doubt, the religious authorities care about
citizens' interests, particularly concerning the
constitution.
"The religious authorities have said that the current
constitution does not satisfy all ambitions but it is the
best solution under the present circumstances. The current
Iraqi constitution was drafted, harmoniously, to satisfy all
Iraqi sects. For this reason, the religious authorities have
recommended Iraqis vote `Yes' to the constitution and
ordered them to participate in the referendum. The religious
authorities realize that rejecting the constitution will
take Iraq backwards and allow terrorists to kill more
Iraqis.
"The religious authorities are legally obliged to provide a
decisive answer about this issue. Some people have become
upset about such statements because they see that the Iraqi
people respect and follow their religious authorities who
have been the first voices that have called for holding
elections and drafting a constitution that guarantees the
rights of all Iraqis. Additionally, the religious
authorities have encouraged people to participate in the
election and today it encourages all Iraqis to take part in
the referendum. The religious authorities have also been the
first voices that have called for the rights of Iraqi people
and they will play such a role until a free Iraqi country is
established where all citizens live freely and fairly."

D. "Who Rejects the Cessation of Bloodshed in Iraq?"
(Al-Ittihad, affiliated with the PUK, published this page-
three editorial by Abdul Hadi Mahdi)
"History has described Iraqis as peaceful people who reject
violence and adore freedom and peace. Since the
establishment of the Iraqi state, many political, social and
economic changes have happened in this country. However, the
Iraqi people were able to stay united despite the many
attempts made to break apart an Iraq which is characterized
by multiple ethnicities and religions. But, all those
attempts have been unsuccessful. During previous decades,
former Iraqi regimes adopted a policy that was aimed at
destroying Iraqi national unity. More than ever, this
destructive policy increased during the last decade when the
Iraqi people were exposed to oppression and tyranny. Iraqi
voices were clear at that time, rejecting violations against
human rights.

"After April 9, 2003 [the fall of Baghdad], we noticed that
the culture of violence has increased unexpectedly. This
violence is a result of the former errant policies which
have achieved nothing but massacres and bloodshed against
innocent Iraqis. This recent series of violent episodes has
become so intensive that it has started to affect all
Iraqis. In addition, this violence has begun to target
Iraqis based on their national or sectarian identity.
Indeed, all Iraqis condemn these crimes. Recently, As-Sabah
newspaper called for holding a `covenant of honor' that
forbids the shedding of Iraqi blood. I think such an
initiative will engender widespread Iraqi support. Today,
there are many attitudes by Iraqis against violence and I
think these attitudes represent a consensus.
"But, it is very important that we must put those attitudes
into practice. We must ask this question: Who can refuse
such a covenant? I believe that those who do not belong to
Iraq [i.e. non-Iraqis] and those who have accepted to become
a tool used by foreigners to kill the Iraqi people, will
reject this noble covenant. This initiative has come at an
important time and stage in Iraq's history. Iraq is moving
forward toward the referendum and the upcoming election. For
this reason, all Iraqis must implement this initiative and
put it into practice in order to protect Iraqi blood from
being shed every day."


E. "Childhood and Terrorism"
(Al-Fourat, independent, anti coalition, published this page-
three editorial by Abdul Zahra Al-Talkani)

"Children comprise a tremendous humanitarian power capable
of standing up to any superpower no matter how strong its
weapons. They represent a peaceful power armed only with
innocence. Childhood represents a very pure and spiritual
world that is close to divine principles, that's why
children are much safer and happier than others.

"If we can imagine excluding them from humanity, then our
community would be transformed into a wild monster living in
a real jungle. Therefore, children have prevented the
proliferation of this monster's violence--most of the time,
and sometimes children have even sacrificed their lives.
It's like the case of Abdullah, the baby son of Imam
Hussein, who was slaughtered by a criminal long ago.

"And now, thirty children were assassinated in Baghdad
because one of the notorious mujahideen, who bore a
recommendation signed by one of the two `prophets' (bin
Laden or Al-Zarqawi),was in a rush to reach paradise at the
expense of thirty children's bodies. And that's in addition
to the children who have died in Kadhumya, Al-Nahdha,
Hillah, Najaf, Tal Afar and all other areas where terrorists
have extended their reach.

"There are always children that stand against terror with
their tender faces and soft bodies, and most of the time
they have died with innocent smiles that mock their
murderers. Children go to school in clean white uniforms
wearing book-bags on their shoulders; daily they are
challenging the death and terror that is pervasive
everywhere in Iraq. They don't mind the danger, hiding
behind school walls or dodging the car bombs in the streets,
they only cower in silence, terrified when the hears bombs
they react like doves responding to a loud sudden noise--
they then resume laughing and playing, active and full of
energy. They go home to narrate their experiences to their
families and return to school the next day in a daily cycle
of life that terrorists are trying to extinguish. Sooner or
later terrorists will be defeated because they cannot defeat
Iraqi children-so how can they defeat the men and women of
Iraq who have become experts in dealing with death since the
time of Adam and Eve?"

KHALILZAD