An Iraqi Leader Says No More Changes to Charter

[kpete]

An Iraqi Leader Says No More Changes to Charter


Forum: The Transition in Iraq
Last summer, as Sunni Arabs protested vehemently against the proposed constitution, the Shiite and Kurd leaders who dominated its drafting promised there would be a four-month window for amending the document following the formation of a new government.

But Abdul Azziz al-Hakim, the leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution, the most influential group in the ruling Shiite coalition, today said that "the first principle is not to change the essence of the constituion," according to the Associated Press.

"This constitution was endorsed by the Iraqi people," he said, during a speech in honor of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

Mr. Hakim appeared to rule out in particular any change in the constitution's provisions allowing the creation of strong regional provinces, a point that had angered many Sunnis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/11/international/middleeast/11cnd-iraq.html