Bush Seeks to Dispel Criticism on Iraq

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050828/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_iraq_1

<snip>

"Not everyone loves every article of this document, not everyone is totally satisfied, but there is enough in this constitution that meets the basic needs of all communities and for Iraq to move forward," the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

But reflecting the turmoil in Iraq over the document's drafting, Khalilzad was already talking about the need for changes.

"Our own constitution, as you know, had to change in order to remain relevant, and this will be the case with Iraq as well," he said. "Constitutions are not just one-time documents. To be relevant they will have to adapt."

After negotiators finished the draft Sunday, it was read to the legislature, where the Shiite-Kurdish bloc that supports it has an overwhelming majority. But lawmakers adjourned without voting on the document.

It included last-minute changes aimed at easing Sunni concerns. But the 15-member negotiating Sunni negotiating team rejected the constitution as "illegitimate," raising serious concerns about the outcome of an October referendum in which Iraqis will vote on whether to accept or reject it.




Nembers of the Shabak community, the ethnic minority in the Mosul area, rally in Burtilla, east of Mosul against the constitution draft, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005. The Shabaks make up a substantial portion of the Nineveh plains population, residing in 35 villages as well as in Mosul. Evidence of Shabaks in the region exist from the 16th century and their religious beliefs contain mostly Sunni, Shiite, and some Christian elements. (AP Photo/Mohammed Ibrahim)

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Are they going to sign that big ol' pig with a large lipstick!?

[rodeodance]

2. Bush to have upcoming news conference on this (see below).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4482164

[leftchick]

4. thank you for the warning

the TV is off now.

[maddezmom]

8. pls post updates for those of us

that don't have access on TV. :hi:

[TahitiNut]

3. Their 'constitution' has (at least) one fatal flaw.

It pretends to establish human rights. Absolutely no Constitution is legitimate unless it's fundamentally premised on the preexisting human rights to write it in the first place.

[NYC]

5. Rights as privileges.

New concept.

[TahitiNut]

6. It's as old as monarchies.

"God's annointed agent on earth." ... The "divine right of kings" and so on. :shrug:

[msongs]

7. are the sunnis the "republicans" of Iraq? nt

[rodeodance]

10. blitzer just had a whole segment with our

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

9. Audio only from Crawford...I guess that is the best they can do...

And It sounds like he is underwater in the bathtub while speaking???

Good production values. NOT!

[rustydog]

11. Dip Shit Leader still hasn't figured it out!

It would be akin to me trying to explain to Americans that they are wrong and three plus three is actually twelve.

no matter how strongly I believe I am right no matter how loudly I protest my stance, how can I hope to convince you I am right when it is so PLAIN my arguement is based on poor information resulting in an ill concieved conclusion.

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. This place won't be featured in the vacation guidebooks anytime soon

In spite of what Alice in Wonderland right wingers think.

What a bunch of star-struck loonies.

[Rose Siding]

13. Um...repubs call that 'judicial activism'

"Our own constitution, as you know, had to change in order to remain relevant, and this will be the case with Iraq as well," he said. "Constitutions are not just one-time documents. To be relevant they will have to adapt."