WP: Despite Setback, Bush Optimistic on Iraqi Charter

[Pirate Smile]

Despite Setback, Bush Optimistic on Iraqi Charter
President Lauds 'Heroic Efforts' of Negotiators as Some Critics Fault U.S. Emphasis on Deadlines

By Peter Baker and Robin Wright
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, August 16, 2005; Page A10

The failure to draft a new Iraqi constitution by yesterday's deadline represents another blow to President Bush's attempts to show progress that would pave the way for U.S. troop withdrawals, some analysts said yesterday, but U.S. officials called it a temporary setback and hailed Iraqi leaders for staying at the negotiating table.

Bush, who last week expressed confidence that the deadline would be met, issued a statement applauding "the heroic efforts of Iraqi negotiators" as they continued to talk. At a news conference, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called the decision to extend the deadline by seven days a victory for rule of law and predicted the Iraqis would reach agreement by Monday.

"We are witnessing democracy at work in Iraq," Rice said. "The new constitution will be the most important document in the history of the new Iraq. We are confident that they will complete this process and continue on the path toward elections for a permanent government at the end of the year."

The delay may not have much lasting significance if it leads to a document with broader support across sectarian lines. Negotiators have been divided over delicate questions such as women's rights in an Islamic society and the degree of regional control that Shiite and Kurdish sections would enjoy. U.S. officials noted that representatives of the Sunni minority remain involved, deeming that critical to defusing popular support for the Sunni-dominated insurgency.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/15/AR2005081500299.html

[swag]

1. Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind.

[marmar]

2. Bush and Condi...

have been snorting too many lines of coke...
I don't know what alternate universe they live in, but it's a damn scary place.

:scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:

[ShockediSay]

3. As they say in the oil business -

this guy's a dry hole huckster.

And while I'm venting

Women had more rights under Saddam;

The economy was better under Saddam;

Fewer people got killed under Saddam;

More oil was available under Saddam;

We had a world of international inspectors present to keep a lid on things under Saddam;

So how did we get where we are? in Iraq?