Shiite Political Leader Says Constitution Invalid Until Approved by an Elected Legislature (minority rights do not exist - only rights granted by the majority Shiite, which can be taken away from minorities by Shiite at any time).
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA3KPJ1MRD.htmlShiite Political Leader Says Constitution Invalid Until Approved by an Elected Legislature
By Hamza Hendawi Associated Press Writer
Published: Mar 9, 2004
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The leader of Iraq's biggest Shiite political party on Tuesday described the nation's interim constitution as a "huge achievement" but echoed criticism by an influential Shiite cleric that parts of the document encroached on the powers of a future elected parliament. <snip>
"Our main problem lies with the imposition of restrictions set by an unelected body on an elected body," said Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq and a member of the U.S.-appointed council. <snip>
Al-Hakim's criticism reiterated that of the Shiites' most influential cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, who issued a religious edict on Monday saying the document will gain legitimacy only when adopted by an elected assembly.
Al-Sistani's supporters on the Governing Council pledged to try and amend parts of the charter. Al-Hakim, who maintains close ties to al-Sistani, said they would seek the consensus of council members on any amendments.
On Tuesday, a senior Shiite cleric (Ayatollah al-Modaresi) from the holy city of Karbala also criticized clauses pertaining to federalism in the document, warning that they could lead to the dismemberment of Iraq or plunge the nation into civil war. <snip>
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