Sunnis Warn Iraq Charter May Be Delayed

[Earth_First]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A leading Shiite lawmaker called Thursday for a Shiite federal region, alarming Sunni Arabs who fear they will lose out on oil revenues and complicating efforts to meet a deadline for drafting a constitution within four days.

Al-Mutlaq and other Sunnis had suggested that a decision on federalism should be delayed until a new parliament is elected in December. That parliament is expected to have more Sunni Arab members than the current one because many Sunnis boycotted the January election.

Even if the constitution is approved on time, it could face an uncertain fate in the October referendum if large numbers of Sunnis oppose it. Although Sunni Arabs make up only about 20 percent of the population, they form the majority in at least four of the 18 provinces.

If two-thirds of the voters in any three provinces vote against the constitution, it will be defeated under rules set down in the interim constitution.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050811/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_050811182314;_ylt=AhZGnFgcyuQY7BobCQ8KkKRX6GMA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

[jody]

1. It seems highly unlikely that the constitution will be ratified unless

Bush's cabal can rig the election in Sunni dominated governorates.

[bribri16]

2. Weren't neocons warned that this would happen. Cheney said

back in the 90's that invading Iraq was unwise...talk about a flip flop!

[donco6]

3. The title alone made me snort.

Y'a think? We've just seen the mayor of Baghdad deposed by Shiite militia. The biggest debate in the Constitution creation seems to be whether to create a faux Iranian theocracy. Yeah, I'd say a delay is in order.

:nuke: