US calls for Sunni return to the constitution writing committee
Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/21/2005

The USA has called on the representatives of the Arab Sunnis in the constitution committee to return back as four of them suspended their membership to the committee after two of their colleagues were killed.

The spokesman for the US Department Of State, Adam Erely, said that Washington wants the work of the committee to continue so as to be able to complete the constitution writing project, according to the set schedule, stressing that this matter is just short pause in the process.

He said yesterday the assasinations are "a sign that those who are determined to thwart the will of the Iraqi people, to prevent democracy from taking root in Iraq, and it's - what's also clear is that they're not going to succeed, because there is a - they are swimming against the tide.Ê There is a vast majority of Iraqis who want a better future, who want a democratic country, who are engaged and working on behalf of a peaceful, democratic Iraq.Obviously, in the - since these incidents, there have been concerns expressed about the safety and security of the Sunni members of the constitutional commission.Ê I think those concerns are certainly understandable, but we all look forward to the work of the committee continuing and to - for the United States, for our part, supporting the determination and sacrifice of the many brave Iraqis not only on the committee, but throughout the government and country of Iraq as they forge a new country."

In the same context, the spokesman for the the Sunni People Conference, Adnal al-Duleimi, said following his meeting with Iraq's Kurdistan President, Masoud al-Barazani, in Irbil, that the assassination of several members representatives for the Arab Sunni in the constitution committee aims at obstructing the participation of the Sunni Arabs in the political operation.

Duleimi said that the Arab Sunnis will not fall for such attempts, stressing that the decision, which provides for withdrawal from the constitution committee or delaying participation in it, will be discussed among the forces of the Arab Sunni away.

The spokesman for the national dialogue council, an umbrella includes the Sunni Arabs, Saleh al-Mutlaq, said there will be "not good environment there that one can work in." Another official in the committee said that all Arab Sunni members suspended their membership. A meeting is due with other Sunni sides to take a common position regarding the issue of taking part in the constitution committee.

By suspending the membership of the four members in addition to the two members who were killed on Wednesday, the number of members whose membership will be suspending is 6. Such a measure of suspending membership will complicate the mission of formulating the constitution by the fall of the final date set for mid August.

Asked "on the constitution -- it appears that the working draft that they have going there would be much more restrictive on women's rights than the previous setup that they had and basically adhering to Sharia, it would appear.Ê Is this something the United States is concerned about and been talking to the constitutional drafters and the Iraqi authorities about?"

Erely said "Yeah.Ê I'm a little reluctant to actually jump into that question for the simple reason that I'm not certain that what we're responding to is accurate.Ê In other words, you'd say, "It would appear that the draft is."Ê Well, I'm not sure that that's the real draft.Ê I haven't seen what it is.Ê The Iraqis are still, you know, very much in the process of putting this thing together, so let's hold off on commenting on purported drafts until the Iraqis present officially to the people something for their consideration.Ê That hasn't happened yet.

"Having said that, it's worth pointing out a couple of important ideas as we move forward in this -- or as the Iraqis move forward in this process.Ê Number one:Ê It's an Iraqi process.Ê It's their country.Ê It's their constitution, and it's up to them to determine the shape they want their country to take and how they want their country to be governed.

"Number two:Ê They've got a good start on things - with the Transitional Administrative Law.Ê They've got a good start on things with an energetic and robust and inclusive Constitutional Committee.Ê And I think what you're seeing today in terms of Iraqi's public groups, citizens' groups getting out there and expressing their opinion about, you know, what's being reported to be a draft or whatever.Ê But that in itself is a sign that the Iraqi populous is involved and that there is a real democratic nature to this process, which is something that is positive and to be welcomed and to be praised." He indicated, when asked by the Iraqis, the US is sharing its extensive experience in this area.

Previous Stories:
  25,000 Iraqi civilians killed so far due to US invassion of Iraq   (7/20/2005)
  Iraqi constitution to be ready in July   (7/20/2005)
  3 Iraqi members of the Consitution writing commitee killed   (7/20/2005)
  US supports democratic development in Iraq   (7/19/2005)
  Al-Duleimi calls Sunnis to take part in next vote   (7/5/2005)
  A constitution for Iraq   (7/2/2005)
  US military view on current situation in Iraq   (6/28/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search