Ambiguity prevails on Iraq's political process after the draft constitution was delivered Monday to the National Assembly (parliament) which gave three days for more discussion among the political blocks.
In spite of many TV and press releases of political leaders about the draft constitution, no one pointed out in a clear way whether it was finished or not.
Members of political parties and blocks started repeating what their leaders say, but the people are perplexed by what is taking place and no one really knows the exact text of the constitution that was delivered to the National Assembly.
Under the chaotic circumstances, the Iraqis have felt disappointed of what has happened, believing that the constitution that was expected to bring Iraq together and unify the people might lead to separation, conflicts, political chaos and instability.
It might also be the reason for a civil war that would increase the destruction in Iraq.
Four months ago, after it took 12 weeks to form a transition government, many were doubtful that it would be possible to adopt the constitution on time before the deadline of Aug. 15.
The continuous bitter disputes destroyed all hopes revived by the Jan. 30 parliamentary elections, and now there is a doubt in reaching a form of the draft constitution that would satisfy the main conflicting parties, namely the Shiites, the Kurds and the Sunnis.
After postponing the period for writing the constitution from Aug. 15 to Aug. 22, the National Assembly was supposed to be presented with a form of the constitution to be discussed by the lawmakers and then ratified. But the parliament session took only few minutes after its speaker announced postponing the voting for another three days to agree on some of the remaining points.
This procedure is considered as an attempt to avoid dissolving the National Assembly according to the interim constitution, which stipulates that the assembly should be dissolved and new election stake place for a new parliament if a permanent constitution is not finished in time.
It is believed that not publishing an official form of the constitution until now would give some of the politicians another chance to amend it in the hope that they would reach an agreement on all the points of differences at last.
After the end of the session, the Shiite parties organized demonstrations in the city of Najaf, 180 km south of Baghdad, expressing joy for a constitution that they have not seen yet, while hundreds of protesters marched in the city of Dor, north of Baghdad, objecting to that draft.
Meanwhile, some of the Sunni leaders repeated strong criticisms of the constitution which they said they have not seen yet.
The Sunni Arabs said that if the constitution is not revised and amended to harmonize with the higher interests of the country and guarantee the unity of Iraqis by achieving justice for all, then the draft will be rejected.
The most important disputes are around the identity of Iraq, the issue of the federal system, distribution of authorities, and cleaning the constitution of any indications to sectarianism and extremism against others.
The Sunni leaders, who boycotted the Jan. 30 elections, said they are mobilizing voters to reject the draft constitution in the referendum.
Some observers said that the Kurds and the Shiites might present some forgoes, otherwise they would be ready to manipulate the majority in the parliament to pass the draft.
Kurdish extremists, however, said that the only possible change is that the Sunnis are convinced with the federal system.
It is also clear now that the Sunni Arabs are not the only ones objecting to the draft, as the followers of the young Shiite militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr also announced their objection to the federalism.
US diplomats in Baghdad said they would continue the work to bridge gaps between rival parties so that the Sunnis would not seek violent objections.
US President George W. Bush Tuesday urged Sunni Arabs to choose between peace and violence, saying that they should accept an agreement which guarantees peace.
(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2005)
