The Hindu : International : Uncertainty as Iraq deadline ends

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Friday, Aug 26, 2005

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International

Uncertainty as Iraq deadline ends

Atul Aneja

Sunnis call for fresh elections

MANAMA: The fate of the Iraq's draft Constitution was shrouded in uncertainty as the deadline for the approval of the charter ended on Thursday.

Representatives of the three main religious and ethnic groups — Shias, Sunnis and Kurds — were far from clear on whether Parliament would convene to decide on the draft, which the Shias and the Kurds cleared on Monday. The Sunni groups during negotiations had rejected the text.

Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish member of the drafting committee, was quoted as saying that Parliament would convene to ratify the draft. But some Shia representatives were of the view that the text would be forwarded directly for approval in a referendum slated for October 15. A parliamentary majority, based on Shia and Kurdish votes could approve the draft ahead of the referendum.

Sunni groups, who are poorly represented, have declared their preference for the dissolution of Parliament and fresh election, which could result in bringing them to the legislature in larger numbers. Some Sunni representatives said they would challenge in court any voting on the draft in Parliament.

Set on defeating the charter, Sunni leaders have been encouraging supporters to register for the referendum. Under the interim law, a two-thirds majority in any three provinces out of a total of 18 can defeat the draft. Sunnis are in majority in four provinces.

40 killed in raid

AP reports:

At least 40 persons — including 13 policemen and one American — died when guerillas launched one of their most brazen attacks in weeks in the capital, a U.S. military spokesman said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the bodies of 36 men were discovered on Thursday in a dry river bed near the Iranian border, police said.

All had been shot in the head execution-style and some were cuffed, police added. Details are awaited.

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