Iraqi Leaders Euphoric Upon Drafting New Constitution - LA Times

[Columbia]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq2mar02,1,7758877.story?coll=la-headlines-world
(subscription required)

BAGHDAD -- Weary but exultant after all-night negotiations, Iraqi leaders on Monday hailed their agreement on a new interim constitution as a breakthrough for the cause of democracy in Iraq and the Middle East.
...

The document enshrines concepts that are progressive for the region, such as a goal of filling a quarter of the national legislature with women and a strong bill of rights balanced with Islamic precepts. It also includes measures intended to bridge Iraq's societal fault lines, laying out a plan to absorb potentially volatile militias in the ethnic Kurdish north and Shiite Muslim south into the national security forces.
....

"We worked diligently to give women their rights," said Rajaa Khuzaai, one of the three women on the council, pointing out that an initiative to institute Sharia, or Islamic law, had been beaten back. The constitution makes Islam "a" source of future legislation, officials said, as opposed to "the" source, the phrase advocated by religious parties.

As Iraqi and coalition officials pointed out, the new protections for women are unusual in the Middle East and beyond.

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[Yupster]

1. Best of luck to them

They've got a tough road ahead of them. Hope they succeed.

[tobius]

2. let's hope for success. nt

[EV1Ltimm]

3. maybe something good will come of this debacle.

i just wish this constitution had come about through other means.

[ConsAreLiars]

4. Yay! ???

Your guy did good overthrowing the evil doo-doo-er by killing thousands of children, thousands of men, thousands of women. Now they have a piece of paper agreed upon by duly appointed puppets and sycophants. Wow!

Those inclined to take comfort in this "great achievement" might need a refresher course in what really happened - WARNING pix of dead and mamed Iraqis:
http://www.robert-fisk.com/iraqwarvictims_mar2003.htm
http://www.robert-fisk.com/the_evidence.htm

Gloat if you will over this piece of paper, but I will not celebrate until the monsters who started this war receive the justice these crimes deserve.

[Cat Atomic]

5. I agree.

A group of exile puppets agrees with their US advisors on a constitution. I am both shocked and awed.

[Columbia]

6. There is hope

I started this thread to assuage previous fears of a Sharia-based constitution subjugating women's rights. Thankfully, that provision has been rightfully tossed out.

I believe that this is a step forward for Iraq in becoming a stable and secure democratic state and attaining a peaceful and prosperous future.

[ConsAreLiars]

7. You seem to forget

that the threat of Islamic Fundies ruling in Iraq was much less before this vicious attack than after. As for the 25% representation clause, it is optional. Bush=Osama and their goals are indistinguishable other than terminology. They both oppose secularism, and they are both equally amoral in the methods they use to serve their gods. This piece of paper is a sham.

[Columbia]

8. You forget as well

That there was no threat to secularism under Saddam because he jailed or killed those who dared to dissent against him. The threat of "Islamic fundies" is the result of the freedom to dissent and that is a good thing. I'm sure you would not trade the threat of "Christian fundies" in this country for a secular yet authoritarian dictatorship (although I'm sure you could argue that's what we have already). I'm not a big fan of the war, but let's call a spade a spade and call this "piece of paper" a good first step in the right direction.

[ConsAreLiars]

9. I don't regard the butchering of Iraqis

as any kind of "good first step" and if you think this piece of paper means anything you are either naive or deliberately obtuse.

If you actually have any interest in women's rights in Iraq rather than simply continuing to act an apologist for Dumbfuck and the war see;
http://www.equalityiniraq.com/english.htm

[Columbia]

11. Like I said

Resolution 137 was voted down which is a good thing. Of course there is more work to be done and that is why I said it's a good first step.

As for as being naive or obtuse. If that is what it means for me to hope for a positive and peaceful future for Iraq, then yes, please feel free to call me every name in the book.

[thebigidea]

12. We didn't invent a positive and peaceful future for Iraq, but...

... we help postpone it. We're Halliburton - and we're here for you.

[Columbia]

13. Sometimes I wonder

If some people deliberately want things to go poorly in Iraq simply to satisfy their political desires to see Bush go down. As for me, despite those desires, I will not wish failure on my friends in Iraq.

[thebigidea]

14. and do you really think the current bunch has any interest at all in...

your "friends" in Iraq?

do you think the Bush administration cares one fucking bit about democracy or even human life in Iraq?

They do not. That's why Bush must GO DOWN and go down hard. For the sake of your Iraqi friends, if not for my "political desire."

If I wanted things to "deliberately go poorly in Iraq," why the hell did I protest and scream about the war before it started? To prevent things from going poorly, because any idiot can figure out that it would turn to excrement in seconds with Bush at the wheel.

Didn't you?

[Columbia]

15. I don't know

Probably not, and honestly I don't care anymore. He's gone this year and good riddance to bad rubbish.

Ensuring Iraq does attain peace and prosperity should be a common goal that transcends politics. I posted this article to perhaps provide some hope in those hearts and minds out there on DU that Iraq is worth working for and success CAN be achieved.

Edit to respond to your edit:

Perhaps you are not among those who wish things to go poorly in Iraq, but I can tell from some of the posts on here that there are people who do feel that way.

[thebigidea]

16. Well, the people you are in the process of defending...

are in fact, "bad rubbish."

No "progress" will come from Paul Bremer.

Success CANNOT be achieved. It is not ours to attempt, in any case. The only thing that can be achieved is humiliation, failure, death, and eventual retreat.

[Columbia]

17. Then this is where we must part ways

"Success CANNOT be achieved. It is not ours to attempt, in any case. The only thing that can be achieved is humiliation, failure, death, and eventual retreat."

As it would be futile for the both of us to continue this dialogue any further since your mind seems to be already quite made. As for me, I will continue to pray and hope for a good future for the people of Iraq. Inshallah.

[thebigidea]

18. well, my track record seems to be pretty good so far.

how about you? Were you on board for OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM round 2002 or so? Did it seem like a noble cause, this Hussein-stoppin' action?

" I will continue to pray and hope for a good future for the people of Iraq. Inshallah."

Why bother with Allah when you've got Chalabi?

This good future will come to the people of Iraq when we get the fuck out, they can do it themselves. They don't need our words, prayers, bombs, and bullshit.

But I'm sure they are very touched by your stirring dedication to democratization. You should set it to Sousa.

[Columbia]

19. I was never for the war

But that does not mean I'm not for the people of Iraq. I will not deny that I believe they are better off without the tyrant Saddam. With the tragic bombing today in Karbala, it is obvious our mutual enemies still exist and persist. I am sincere in my wishes to see them succeed and refuse to resort to pessimism.

With this, I bid this thread a good night until morning.

[thebigidea]

20. so somehow the tyrant Bush is better than the tyrant Saddam?

With this, I bid this nauseating thread good riddance.

[thebigidea]

10. a piece of paper signed by Paul Bremer.

Imperial Viceroy to the rescue! Sounds like a permission slip, not democracy.

[Jim Warren]

21. Yep and the people show their appreciation

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x393782

[yowzayowzayowza]

22. Does anyone know...

what this constitution says about control of Iraq's natural resources.

[KG]

23. hhhmm. wonder what happens when iraqi's get soveriegnty

and they tell everybody to get the fuck out of their country?

[Silverhair]

24. Let's hope it works.

Yes, if it works that will mean W will get credit for it, but even so, I hope it works. Anytime democracy can replace a dictatorship it is a good thing.

[DoYouEverWonder]

25. It seems the Iraqi are really celebrating this morning

so much for that new constitution.

So far over 80 dead, coordinated bombings in Baghdad and Karbala at the same time. One more American dead.

Yep, the Iraqis are obviously overjoyed.