Shiites Refuse to Sign Iraq Constitution (The Ayatollah Of Iraq speaks)

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=716&e=1&u=/ap/20040305/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Shiite leaders refused to sign an interim constitution Friday after their top cleric rejected parts of the charter at the last minute, delaying a signing ceremony in a dispute that marred a milestone in U.S. plans to hand over sovereignty to the Iraqis.


The maneuver by five Shiite members of the Iraqi Governing Council broke the unity that the body showed earlier this week when it overcame deep differences to agree unanimously on a draft of the charter.


It also highlighted the power that Shiite Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani wields in the political process. The 75-year-old cleric, who holds considerable influence over Iraq (news - web sites)'s Shiite majority, has already twice derailed U.S. plans for transferring power.


Friday's signing ceremony was put on hold as council members met in an attempt to resolve the Shiite objections. Hours after the ceremony's scheduled time, it had still not begun and there was no word on when it would take place.

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[NNN0LHI]

1. kick

[htuttle]

2. I don't blame them, and it's not just the Shiites rejecting the document

Here's some details from the article about the issues they are bringing up:

The Shiite objections focused on two clauses in the document: one that effectively gives the Kurds a veto over a permanent constitution due to be put to a referendum next year and another on the shape of the presidency in a future government, said Hamed al-Bayati, a senior official in one of the Shiite parties that balked at signing.

But by the end of the evening, the dispute seemed to have become broader. Entifadh Qanbar, a spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress, one of the parties that balked at signing, said members had to deal with the issue of how "an unelected body can bind an elected body in the future." He did not elaborate.

Also, do you notice that it's not JUST the Shiites that are rejecting the constitution?

Look:
"Entifadh Qanbar, a spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress, one of the parties that balked at signing, said members had to deal with the issue of how "an unelected body can bind an elected body in the future."

So the Iraqi National Congress rejected the constitution, too. Aren't those Chalabi's people? How the worm turns...

[Just Me]

3. I agree that his concerns are certainly legitimate.

Actually, he seems to be engaging in very thoughtful foresight. The delay may irritate the Bush regime,...but, that regime will simply have to take second seat to the Iraqi people's interests.

[alcuno]

4. Apparently the Ayatollah did not get the memo.

The one that says Condi is in charge. Or was it Bremer. Or is it the Governing Council. *?

[Disturbed]

5. Stupidiy and Arrogance

The NeoCons thought that they could steamroll over the Iraqis and set up Puppet Govt. in Iraq and privatize industry.

If the US troops aren't out of Iraq by July the Shi'ites will probably start their own insurgency against the Occupation. It seems that the real Iraqi leaders are not going to bow down to the NeoCons.
The plans of the NeoCons have failed miserably. Their puppet Pres. of the USA is a miserable failure. Most of the World knows this. Perhaps the ignorant American sheep will get the clue soon.

[alcuno]

7. I saw a news report about Sistani saying that he expected the Americans

to leave after the handover on June 30. I haven't seen it reported again.

[daleo]

6. Constitutional issues are incredibly difficult to agree upon

In Canada we had two goes at it in less than ten years, and both were rejected (Meech Lake and the Charlottetown Accord, for anyone who is a constitutional process junkie). This is in a country that hasn't had foreign invasions for nearly two centuries. So, I can imagine the problems when a puppet government, put in power by a foreign invasion force, is trying to come up with a constitution.

[Disturbed]

8. Fatwa against Occupiers

Sistani said he will issue one if the US and other occupiers aren't out by July. Now, I am wondering if he will decrea that. The US troops will NOT be out by July or the next 50 years.