Reuters:Iraqi lawmakers agree to seek 10-day charter extension

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BAK569678.htm

Iraqi lawmakers agree to seek 10-day charter extension

BAGHDAD, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Several members of the committee drafting Iraq's constitution said on Monday they had agreed to seek a 10-day extension to the Aug. 15 deadline to try to complete negotiations over the highly contested charter.

The members, from the Sunni and Shi'ite communities, said the proposal would be put to the Iraqi parliament which was beginning a late-night meeting in Baghdad. As the meeting was getting underway, power briefly went out in parliament.

"We agreed to extend the deadline for 10 days," Salah al-Mutlaq, a senior Sunni negotiator, told Reuters.

edit: more details...

[Teaser]

1. My god, it's a new story every hour.

nt

[ClintonTyree]

2. I thought it was a done deal?

That's what all the "Liberal Media" has been saying all day.
It would have been totally surprising if the HAD finished on time, this doesn't surprise me at all.

[speedoo]

3. CNN confirming.

I'm betting even 10 more days will not be enough to resolve the federalism issues.

[enigma000]

4. and with 30 minutes to spare

Well. They certainly cut it close. At 11:30PM Iraqi time they extended the deadline. Let's hope the negotiators can finish in 10 days.

[Barrett808]

5. This would seem to violate the TAL

Don't they need a full TAL amendment to do this?

[endarkenment]

7. Looks like they are winging it. eom.

[enigma000]

8. I think they did do an amendment

http://www.cpa-iraq.org/government/TAL.html

Article 3.

(A) This Law is the Supreme Law of the land and shall be binding in all parts of Iraq without exception. No amendment to this Law may be made except by a three-fourths majority of the members of the National Assembly and the unanimous approval of the Presidency Council. Likewise, no amendment may be made that could abridge in any way the rights of the Iraqi people cited in Chapter Two; extend the transitional period beyond the timeframe cited in this Law; delay the holding of elections to a new assembly; reduce the powers of the regions or governorates; or affect Islam, or any other religions or sects and their rites.

[walkon]

6. I'm not watching the MSM on this one.

Everything "Iraq" is pure psychobabble propaganda. Wouldn't surprise me if it took 15 more MONTHS.

But I think the neocons were feeling it HAD to get done NOW for some reason - to better invade Iran, probably. They really are an impatient bunch!

[stopbush]

9. Iraqi Parliament Extends Deadline for Constitution

Iraqi Parliament Extends Deadline for Constitution

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: August 15, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's parliament agreed to a seven-day extension for leaders to complete a draft constitution, after politicians failed to reach a midnight Monday deadline to agree on the charter.

Parliament adjourned after voting to extend the deadline until Aug. 22, acting on a request from Kurdish leaders for more time.

http://nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Iraq.html

[WCGreen]

10. The Shiite is about to hit the fan.....

And the Kurds are firmly in the Way....

As both factions, seeking revenge on the sadistic behavior of the Sunni minority always on display when they were power, are threatening to derail the whole process of constiutionalizing the American Dream of a free Iraq.....

The ugly threat of federalism, which has worked fairly well right here in the good old US of A, is behind the delay and is, it turns out, anathema to the temporary powers that aren't in the Iraqi capital......

More on this breath taking story as it develops.....

[Roland99]

11. Does this mean the terrorists won? Or it's the America Haters' fault?

[Javaman]

12. It seems as if the march of freedom has slowed to a crawl...

[bribri16]

13. Send Condi out with the bad news. i really don't think this will ever

be what the Bushcos wanted it to be. How could it since it was all based on a lie. We don't give a damn about Iraqi freedom or democracy. If we did, we would never have armed Saddam in 80's. Same Republican cabal ran the show then and is running the show now.