The dust has settled on Iraq's post-war permanent constitution.

The country's Shi'ite-dominated parliament adjourned discussion of the draft charter on Sunday and said the draft's reading in parliament was enough to signify its acceptance.

Iraqi political groups have made earnest efforts to ward off a constitutional impasse. The endorsement of the draft marks a new era for the country.

Approval of the draft will facilitate the US-designed democratic process in Iraq. In a sense, it will justify the armed occupation of the country by the US.

But challenges lie ahead. The draft of the constitution could provoke a backlash and deepen sectarian divisions.

The Sunnis, who largely shunned a January election giving them little voice in the present interim parliament, rejected the "American constitution" at once and said it would be thrown out in an October referendum.

The marginalized group objected to matters concerning the unity of Iraq and its Arab identity.

At the heart of the dispute is the precise meaning of federalism. A relatively loose federation is favored by the Shias and Kurds after decades of ultra-centralized Baathist rule.

But the Sunnis fear federalism could lead to the break-up of the country and want the approach to be sidelined until the next election for the 275-member national assembly, in which they believe they will have more of a say.

Under the provisional constitution, the draft constitution will fall if two-thirds of the electorate in three or more provinces veto it, even if a clear overall majority favors the text.

The destiny of the draft therefore seems to be in the hands of the Sunnis, who have vowed to nullify the charter in the referendum showdown, and whose population is large enough in four provinces to effectively scupper the constitution.

It is vital that efforts are made to strike a deal in advance of the referendum. Iraq cannot afford to risk a defeat in this ballot.

If the Sunnis decide to veto, the draft will fail and new elections will have to be held to create a fresh drafting committee to come up with another constitution.

All Iraqi communities and political parties must work together in a spirit of national reconciliation, which is vital to safeguard Iraq's sovereignty, integrity and independence.

Setting a date, or at least a rough timetable, for a speedy end to the violence-plagued occupation is crucial to restoring stability. The longer the occupation continues, the stronger the resistance may grow.

Without a secure environment in which its new leadership can be elected and operate, Iraq will never be able to breathe on its own.

(China Daily August 30, 2005)