Balking at Vote, Sunnis Seek Role on Constitution

[Syrinx]

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Jan. 24 - Sunni Arab leaders who have been the most vocal in calling for a boycott or postponement of the coming elections say they intend to get involved in politics after the vote, including taking part in writing a permanent constitution.

There is too much at stake, with the constitution to be drafted by August 2005 and full-term elections held by year's end, for Sunni groups to reject the political process, the leaders say, even if they are sticking to their denunciation of the elections.

This talk by prominent Sunnis is the most positive sign yet that there is still a chance they will take part in the political process, potentially bolstering the beleaguered American effort to plant democracy in the Middle East.

Those saying they want to become involved in the process are not leaders of the Sunni-dominated insurgency, and there is no indication that the violence will abate after the vote. But some of these Sunni leaders, who include powerful clerics, have considerable influence with the guerrillas and could act as a bridge between the new government - expected to be dominated by the majority Shiites - and the insurgency.

The rest of the story.

[ECH1969]

1. If they want to take part in writing the Constitution

They shouldn't boycott the election. They would be fools to do nothing and simply hope the Shia give them seats even if they don't vote.

[Maple]

2. One man, one vote

Shi'ites are 60% of Iraq.

Sunnis have no chance in any 'election'

[papau]

3. Minority RIGHTS - a concept hard for the MidEast to adopt

I wish all the best of luck in getting "rights" written into the Iraq Constitution.

Usually "minority rights" are only written into constitutions in countries where a dictator then ignores those rights because the courts are his whores.

A path that Bush seems to want to put the US on.