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Iraq: Constitution talks resume

Rory Carroll

Final stage of marathon negotiations

BAGHDAD: Iraq's political leaders on Tuesday resumed marathon talks to try to resolve outstanding disagreements over a nascent constitution just six days before the deadline.

Arab Sunnis are expected to meet members of the ruling Shia and Kurdish coalition at the Baghdad residence of President Jalal Talabani for what is being billed as the final stage of negotiations.

They have until the end of the week to agree a draft text which is to be presented to Parliament for approval by August 15, an ambitious timetable which the U.S. and Britain hope will keep the political process on track.

Much has been agreed but profound and thorny issues such as federalism, the role of Islam and the status of Kirkuk remain unresolved, deepening the sense of urgency among participants.

Mr. Talabani, a Kurd, was bullish after hosting talks between Kurds and Shias on Sunday night. ``After this meeting, we are going to have continuous meetings and I'm optimistic that we will reach, God willing, positive results,'' he said. Negotiations will not stop until consensus is reached, said a spokesman for the president.

Mahmud Othman, a member of the constitutional drafting committee, told the news agency AFP that British and American diplomats were pushing hard for a deal. ``We are in a race against the clock.''

Washington at first kept a low profile and did not want to be seen as a puppeteer in what was supposed to be a showcase for Iraqi sovereignty.

Lost momentum

But as talks stalled and the deadline loomed, raising the possibility of a six-month delay and lost momentum, U.S. diplomats intervened to nudge participants towards compromise.

Last Sunday, U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad went further by backing the secular and religious moderates. ``The United States believes strongly that the Iraqi constitution should provide equal rights before the law for all Iraqis regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion or sect.''

If approved by Parliament the constitution is to be voted on in a referendum in October. —

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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