MEDIA REACTION: THE NEW IRAQI CONSTITUTION

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001272

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, INR/R/MR

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP IZ MU
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: THE NEW IRAQI CONSTITUTION

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Drafting Through Differences
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1. The privately owned Arabic daily "Al-Watan" featured an
editorial on August 10 entitled "Issues Blocking Efforts for
Drafting Iraqi Constitution":

"There are many difficult issues and complicated questions facing
the drafting committee of the new Iraqi constitution.
Conflicting political powers, representatives of religious
organizations/groups, and social activists are divided about the
fundamental elements in the proposed constitution. These issues
include the role of federalism, the Kurdistan border, and the use
of Islamic law as the supreme law in interpreting all law and
legislation governing Iraq. The Kurds support the idea of a
federal system and demand expansion of the Kurdistan border to
include the city of Kirkuk. Arab Sunnis refuse the notion of
federalism, and Shiites object to the expansion of the Kurdish
border. Faced with these and many other competing interests, the
drafting committee has an enormous task ahead of them."


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Post-Constitution Stability In Iraq
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2. "Al-Watan" published on August 14 an editorial entitled
"Hanging Question":

"As the Iraqi drafting committee approaches the final edits to
the new Iraqi constitution, existing political powers in Baghdad
become more irate that their demands regarding the safety and
security of Iraq have not been sufficiently covered by the
document. Many have expressed deep concern that current
conflicts in Iraq threaten to tear apart Iraqi unity and will
increase the rate of violence. Also in a time when American and
British troops are suffering heavy losses, there is fear that
these forces will begin leaving Iraq in droves. There is little
confidence that the new Iraqi army will be able to preserve
stability and protect the Iraqi people from armed militia and
rebel groups such as 'Bader' and 'Bashmarkah.'"

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New Constitution, New Opportunity
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3. Murtadha Hasan Ali, a member of the State Council, wrote an op-
ed in government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" on August 15, entitled
"The Iraqi Constitution: An Historic Opportunity for Iraqi
leaders":

"Iraq is passing through a period of time that can be
characterized as a historical opportunity, especially for those
who currently control the fate of Iraq. If Iraqi leaders invest
properly in this opportunity and successfully form a modern
constitution, it will usher in an era of increased compromise and
peace, and a reduction of violence. On the other hand, if there
are any delays or disagreements regarding the constitution, then
more violence and an increased movement toward violence as a
means of control will surely be adopted."

BALTIMORE