Iraq's Kurds vow no compromise on constitution

[tocqueville]

33 minutes ago

BAGHDAD, (AFP) - Iraq's leaders will attempt to break the deadlock on a new draft constitution in a national conference here amid signs that Iraq's Kurds are unwilling to compromise on their demands for autonomy.

Iraqi Kurds have rejected suggestions the country should be proclaimed an Islamic state in the new constitution and refused to compromise on the incorporation of oil-rich Kirkuk into their autonomous northern region.

Massoud Barzani, the president of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan, assured Kurdish MPs that he would insist on federalism and retaining the Kurdish peshmerga militia when he meets Iraqi leaders to discuss the constitution Sunday in Baghdad.

"We will not accept that Iraq's identity is Islamic," Barzani told the autonomous Kurdistan parliament in Arbil on Saturday.

He also rejected suggestions that Iraq be termed an Arab nation.

"Let Arab Iraq be part of the Arab nation -- we are not," the Kurdish leader said.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050807/wl_afp/iraq

[H5N1]

1. oooooo... the Kurds stand alone, the Kurds stand alone

hi ho the dairy-o the Kurds stand alone.

Are the Kurds serious?
Who do they think will back them?
Is the US telling them big fat lies and making
promises that are certain to be broken?

[Erika]

2. And why are we there?

Other than for Bush's corporatism?

This is their fight. Bush 41 deserted the Kurds, wonder what this Bush will do.

[mcctatas]

3. What a concept...

seperation of church and state, maybe we should try it???

[tocqueville]

4. I can recommend it

:hi: