Iraq's Constitution Deadline Will Not Be Met, Iraqis Say

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18894-2003Sep29.html

BAGHDAD, Sept. 29 -- Iraqis involved in the effort to write a new constitution said today that completing the document in six months, the goal set by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell last week, will be impossible to meet because of differences over how to select the drafters and more profound disagreements over the role of Islamic law and the basic contours of a new political system.


A committee of lawyers, scholars and religious figures that was supposed to propose a way to select delegates to a constitutional convention has not been able to agree on a preferred method, according to members of the country's Governing Council and others familiar with the process. The committee is scheduled to present a report to the council on Tuesday that will outline several options instead of endorsing a single approach, the members said.


By shifting the decision to the 24-member Governing Council, which could choose to debate the issue or kick it back to the committee, the members said the selection process has effectively been delayed for weeks, if not months.

The Bush administration regards a new constitution and subsequent elections as essential prerequisites to the end of the occupation and the exit of American troops. It had wanted the document to be written by next spring. Powell said last week that six months was "a good timeline" for the creation of the constitution.
<snip>

Read on... It's going to be interesting to see a Federalist government established in this land.

[dbt]

1. We've got one lying around that we're not using

Why don't we send it to Iraq?

:evilgrin:
dbt

[Mari333]

2. The WH is too busy with their latest scandal

to send Chalabi and the sock puppets their copy of the new Constitution..

[Maple]

3. Iraqi's already have a constitution

It was suspended some years ago.

Just 'un-suspend' it.

[Minstrel Boy]

4. "But, ah, if we do that, er...

the terrorists win!"

[Cappurr]

5. What they are really saying

Is write a constitution but write it my way. I'm telling you they are not leaving Iraq until thier business buddies are so well ensconsed they can never be removed or until the American people protest as wildly as they did during Vietnam. Or, of course, until we elect a new president. But that is so long away.

[tabasco]

6. King George will order the constitution be done ON TIME!

Then, to ensure COMPLETE DEMOCRACY, will edit out anything the United States doesn't like. King George will fire any Iraqi Founding Fathers who are slow at constitution writing.