Decentralization proposed in the Iraqi constitution

Differences over the draft Iraqi constitution continued amid contradictory statements between the Shiite and Sunni negotiators in the formulation committee, just less than one and a half months before a referendum on it.

While the two Sunni negotiators Jawad al-Maliki and Saad al-Janabi stressed continued meetings to settle the differences on the issues of identity of Iraq, unity and the sharing of resources, a matter which, according to them leaves the door open for change to items of differences, the Shiite negotiator Khaled al-Ateyah said that the discussions only aims at introducing slight change on certain points "to please certain sides."

Al-Ateyah's statement came in compliance with what was stated by a western diplomat to that the amendment will be limited in order to bridge the gap on pending issues.

The people of Iraq's conference, which includes Sunni parties and commissions, stressed the need of preserving the Arab identity of Iraq in the draft constitution. It rejected the principle of federalism for the central and south parts of Iraq, proposing the principle of decentralization as an alternative substitute, in addition to supporting the legitimacy of resistance against occupation.

The chairman of the Higher Council For The Islamic Revolution In Iraq, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, considered in a speech one the occasion of the funeral of the 1000 Iraqis who died in the stampede of al-Imams bridge in Baghdad, that there is a conspiracy aiming at exterminating the Shiite in Iraq.