ABC: US ambassador to Iraq optimistic about draft constitution

Stating that "failure is not an option for the Iraqis or for us," U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad says Iraqi leaders are optimistic about meeting the August 15 deadline for completing a draft constitution for their country.

In interviews on four news programs August 14, Khalilzad said the drafting committee for Iraq's constitution has resolved most of the key issues. However, he said, there are two major unresolved issues: federalism, or the role of the central government versus that of regional or state government entities, and the role of Islam. "I think the differences on federalism have narrowed considerably," the ambassador said on ABC's This Week.