Discussions underway to fine-tune Iraq’s Charter
Foreign Desk Report

BAGHDAD—Discussions are under way to fine-tune Iraq’s draft constitution in hopes of still winning Sunni Arab approval, representatives of both sides in the talks said Friday. “Discussions are under way to make minor changes in the language to improve the text to satisfy some parties,” Shiite negotiator Khalid al-Attiyah told. News of the talks came as thousands of Shiite Muslims rallied in the southern city of Basra to show support for the constitution and the Shiite-dominated government.
Another demonstration in Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit drew about 2,000 Sunni Arabs who urged that voters reject the constitution in the Oct. 15 referendum because its provision on federalism will lead to the breakup of the country. In new reports of violence, the U.S. military said three American soldiers were killed in action in Baghdad and south of the capital. Al-Attiyah said the discussions were focusing on “three or four” undisclosed articles which “might help the approval of the constitution” in the referendum. He said “there is a possibility” that the changes would be announced Sunday.
A Sunni Arab negotiator confirmed that discussions were under way but would not elaborate. A Western diplomat also confirmed the talks but refused to provide details. “We understand there is ongoing dialogue between Sunni negotiators and the Shiites and Kurds,” said the diplomat, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to comment on the process. “We don’t have the specifics of what is being negotiated, but we know they are discussing language changes and slight modifications that would bring the sides closer”. Sunni Arabs rejected the charter that was approved Aug. 28 by the Shiites and Kurds. The Sunnis cited a number of points, including federalism, references to Saddam Hussein’s Sunni-dominated party and the description of Iraq as a Muslim but not Arab country.
The description of Iraq’s identity was a concession to the non-Arab Kurds, but one Kurdish official said the Kurds were willing to show some flexibility on the wording. “Yes, probably some words will be changed here and there, and this issue is under discussion, especially the Iraqi identity,” Kurdish negotiator Mahmoud Othman told. “We are discussing this article aiming at achieving an aspiration of the Arab League as well as to satisfy some parties,” presumably Sunni Arabs.
“There was a campaign conducted by the Arabs on us regarding this issue,” he added. “We as Kurds wouldn’t mind any new change. Some other articles’ texts might be changed.” Legal experts said no further changes were legally possible after the draft was finalized.
On Tuesday, however, U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said he believed “a final, final draft” had not been completed and that “edits” were still possible — a strong hint to Shiites and Kurds that Washington wants another bid to accommodate the Sunnis.
The demonstration by at least 5,000 people in Basra, the country’s second largest city, was organized by the Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq and the Shiite Dawa Party. It was larger than the rallies Sunni Arabs have staged against the constitution recent weeks. The rally was sponsored by two major Shiite parties whose representatives played a key role in drafting the new charter.
The two parties are the largest Shiite political groupings in Iraq, and their representatives played a key role in drafting the new charter. Demonstrators chanted “Yes to the constitution!” and carried banners that said: “The constitution is a guarantee for better future,” and “Freedom and justice will be achieved by this constitution”.
Aside from the rally in Tikrit, another demonstration against the constitution was held in Ramadi, a Sunni city west of Baghdad, where several hundred people marched. “We are brothers, Sunnis and Shiites. We will never sell this country,” they chanted.