U.S. warns top Iraqis not to delay constitution

[sabra]

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http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1122871883302770.xml&coll=1

U.S. warns top Iraqis not to delay constitution
Framers want extension, disagree on key issues

ASSOCIATED PRESS
BAGHDAD -- Framers of Iraq's new constitution said yesterday they need more time to finish the document, a move that threatens the political momentum on which Washington has staked its strategy for drawing down forces from the country next year.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, however, insisted that the Aug. 15 deadline for parliament to approve the draft charter must be met. A showdown was expected today -- the last day under the interim constitution for the committee to seek an extension.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld flew to Baghdad on Wednesday to insist that the Iraqis finish the constitution on time. But substantial differences remain among the Sunni Arab, Shi'a and Kurdish factions despite weeks of intense deliberations.

Underscoring the stakes, the U.S. military announced yesterday that five more American service members died in a pair of explosions in Baghdad the day before. Their deaths brought the number of Americans killed in the last week to 16.

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[The_Casual_Observer]

1. The US will simple force it, like everything else there

It won't work, it will make things worse, but it doesn't matter as long as chimp can say it is done to the american audience.

[nosmokes]

4. y'all hurry up and write that constitooshun like we done

tole ya do so we can show everbody how free y'all are.

[radfringe]

12. and if they do delay it....

what is bush* going to do? Invade?

[iconoclastic cat]

2. Mmmm...propaganda is such a good midnight snack.

I can't decide: should I bite Rummy, or can he bite me?

[Tace]

3. It's The Ram

Bushco wants something... it rams it through based on deadlines, before anyone has a chance to read it.

If it doesn't have the votes... it extends the deadlines.

[Erika]

5. And since our military is collapsing

they'll define the Constitution a success even if it casts women's rights back decades.

[Lexingtonian]

6. Good Lord-

I can't figure out this delay. After all, what they're supposed to do is simply sign the one faxed over from The Heritage Foundation, the one written mostly by the likes of Dinesh D'Souza and Bill Kristol and a pile of interns.

[Old and In the Way]

7. What's the problem?

The "hold harmless" clause? Or the "mineral exclusivity rights to Halliburton" clause?

[0007]

10. ......and the U.S. military installations that will be staying in Iraq

forever.

Iraqis like the average American citizen are sooo screwed.

[Lochloosa]

8. And just what is the US going to do if they delay it....Invade?

Oh wait....

[truthisfreedom]

9. rush rush rush

bush is on a schedule... now somebody tell me who is writing that schedule?

[FloridaPat]

11. 14 permanent bases and we're leaving next year? Sure. Did the get

the oil wells sold to Haliburton?