Islamic parties offices attacked on eve of vote
Iraq, Politics, 10/15/2005

Differences continued in the positions of the political and religious blocs over voting for or against the Iraqi draft constitution on the vote. While the Kurds and the Shiite renewed their position in supporting voting "yes" for the constitution, most of the Sunnis cling to their rejecting position.

The Kurdish leader Masoud al-Barazani on Friday used all his weight in support of the draft constitution, renewing his call for the Kurds to vote "yes," justifying that to saying that this "yes" guarantees their demands especially regarding the federal system in Iraq.

In a press conference in Irbil, north of Iraq, Barazani stressed that this constitution is the best that can be reached under the current conditions, though it does not meet the all rights of the Kurds.

He warned that in case that the constitution does not get the majority, then it will be re- written and that there are fears that the Kurds will not get the same number of seats in the parliament in the next elections and because there are Arab forces in Iraq that do not recognize the rights of the Kurdish people.

Al-Barazani plyed down the rejection of some Sunni Arab commissions for the draft constitution. He said that the largest Sunni party in Iraq, which is the Islamic Party and the Sunni Waqf agreed to vote in favor of the constitution.
The question of the constitution dominated the sermons of Friday's prayers and most of the preachers urged the Sunni worshippers to vote "no".

In Karbala, south of Baghdad, the Shiite reference Ayatullah Ali al-Seisatni urged the Iraqis thru his secretary Sheikh Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalai to vote for the constitution.

In al-Ghazaleyah area west of Baghdad, the preacher of Um al-Qura mosque Sheikh Mahmoud Mahdi al-Sumeidi for the Iraqi Sunni scholars commission to take part in the referendum and to vote for rejecting the constitution but without meaning to kill those who stand against that.

In the Sunni al-Azameyah area north of Baghdad, a demonstration was organized included scores of worshippers who deplored the position of the Islamic Party and described its leaders as "non believers."

Six offices belong to the party in various parts of Iraq were exposed to explosions, but no casualties were reported during the past few hours after the party announced support for the draft constitution.

Previous Stories:
  A state of alert in Iraq   (10/15/2005)
  Iraq makes last minute preparations for constitutional vote   (10/14/2005)
  Baghdad: Saddam's will have an open trial   (10/14/2005)
  Arab League chief in Iraq next week   (10/14/2005)

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