Federalism issue delayed in Iraqi parliament

A debate on federalism bill, submitted by the largest Shiite Muslim bloc, the United Iraqi Alliance, was postponed by parliament to September 19 amid objections from Iraqi Sunni population.

The bill calls for a three-part federation that would create a separate autonomous state in the predominantly Shiite south like the zone run by Kurds in the north.

A previous motion to discuss the bill Thursday set off acrimonious squabbling that led Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani to adjourn the session.

The Iraqi Accordance Front, the largest Sunni bloc, and another Sunni party, the National Dialogue Front of Saleh al-Mutlaq, boycotted Sunday's parliament session to protest the bill.

Ayad Jamal al-Deen, a member of the National List, warned that federalism is sowing discords among lawmakers.

"It is unwise to create a problem that provokes argument among the blocs," he said, adding that this could undermine the prime minister's national reconciliation plan that is seeking to bridge religious, political and ethnic gaps.

Parliament's Shiite deputy speaker, Khalid al-Atiya, defended the bill, denying that federalism is meant to destroy Iraq as a unified state. The idea that the legislation will divide the country "is a misleading one and agitates public opinion without any reason," al-Atiya told reporters. "Approving legislation for federalism doesn't mean that we will initiate moves to establish autonomous regions the next day."

The New York Times reported that the 11 months old agreement by Shiite and Kurdish leaders "to win Sunni Arab support for a new constitution is fraying, causing concern among some political leaders that it could jeopardize Iraq’s fragile governing coalition."

The New York Times said "Shiites led by Mr. Hakim, and joined by Kurds, may have the votes for the simple majority required to pass the bill for autonomous regions. But Sunnis have powerful allies who want to delay this issue", adding that Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr coalition and Shiite secular leader Ayad Allawi's coalition and Shiite legislators from the Fadhila Party "were concerned that Mr. Hakim’s party was racing ahead too quickly" ahead of rewriting portions of the constitution."

The concept of federalism is enshrined in the new Iraqi constitution, and there is already an autonomous Kurdish region in the north. However, special legislation and a referendum would be needed to turn Iraq into a full federation.