http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/nation/12399432.htmWhite House confident on Iraq constitution
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Declaring writing a constitution "does take time," the Bush administration on Tuesday expressed confidence the drafters of a document to guide the new government of Iraq will arrive at a solution that meets the needs of the people.
Still, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack ticked off a number of tough issues, including the role of women and the role of religion in how the country is governed, and said "there are going to be more ups and downs" in the extra week the Iraqis have given themselves to finish the job.
"We will do everything that we can, within the bounds of what they want, to help them get that done," McCormack said.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke by telephone Tuesday with Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador, and twice on Monday as Khalilzad assisted the drafters, McCormack said.