Iraq Again Delays Federalism Bill Debate

[Omaha Steve]

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20060910/D8K26EM00.html

Iraq Again Delays Federalism Bill Debate
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Sep 10, 3:28 PM (ET)

By ELENA BECATOROS

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A boycott by several political groups Sunday caused parliament to again put off a rancorous debate on a federalism bill that Sunni Arabs fear will split Iraq apart and fuel sectarian bloodshed.

Authorities reported finding 11 more bodies that appeared to be victims of the religious reprisal killings that have surged in recent months, while 18 Iraqis died in bombings and shootings across the country.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, meanwhile, postponed his first official visit to Iran, officials said. He was supposed to be in Tehran on Monday to affirm friendly relations but also discuss mutual respect for each nation's internal affairs. U.S. officials have accused Iran of not doing enough to stop militants infiltrating into Iraq.


U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission in Iraq Daniel Speckhard, center with black glasses, talks with an Iraqi elderly person during a visit to the Azamiyah neighborhood, in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday Sept. 10, 2006. Speckhard said that there is a significant improvement in the security in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Al-badri)


The federalism bill, submitted by the largest Shiite Muslim bloc, the United Iraqi Alliance, calls for a three-part federation that would create a separate autonomous state in the predominantly Shiite south much like the zone run by Kurds in the north.

FULL story at link above.

[swag]

1. Deal on a Constitution for Iraq Is Teetering

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/11/world/middleeast/11iraq.html?hp&ex=1157947200&en=04abdd59455d3151&ei=5094&partner=homepage

BAGHDAD, Sept. 10 — An agreement struck 11 months ago 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 dispute peaked Sunday as a large Shiite faction continued to fight for quick approval of legislation giving provinces the authority to create autonomous states, which some powerful Shiites are seeking for southern Iraq. Sunni lawmakers and others who oppose the proposal refused to attend Parliament on Sunday, and warned that the plan could severely undermine the country’s unity government.

Shiite lawmakers said earlier on Sunday that they had reached an agreement with Sunnis and other political coalitions to delay the debate on the proposal until Sept. 19. But hours later legislators said that agreement had fallen apart, and it remained unclear whether Shiites would adhere to the delay.

A faction of Shiites led by Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, a powerful party with close ties to Iran, wants legislation to establish a mechanism for provinces to start the process of creating semi-independent states. The new regions would have wide powers to control their own security and petroleum resources.

. . .

[yourout]

2. All out Civil war will only be avoided by dividing Iraq.

There may or may not be an all out Civil War but in the end Iraq will be divided.

Even after division the Sunni and Shite will likely war for decades. The brutalness of Sadaam was the only thing that held Iraq together in the first place.

It's only a matter of time.

[Kagemusha]

3. You mean by creating an 8-province Shiite SuperProvince?

With independent oil revenues, security forces, its own confederacy of provinces prime minister, and minimal responsibility to the rest of the country?

Which is exactly what al-Hakim is asking for, RIGHT NOW?

Funny that Bush seems unaware that the Iraqi equivalent of the Tom DeLay of its sitting government is pushing for this, very hard, right this minute.

[54anickel]

4. I thought they had a done deal (for the second time around) on their

constitution last year...August to be exact.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8931395/

snip>

Bush, Rice praise process
U.S. officials downplayed the significance of the delay, and the White House expressed confidence the Iraqis would reach consensus.

In a statement released by the presidential press office from President Bush’s ranch in Texas, the president said he applauded “the heroic efforts of Iraqi negotiators and appreciate their work to resolve remaining issues through continued negotiation and dialogue.”

“We are witnessing democracy at work in Iraq,” said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, at a State Department briefing shortly after the delay was confirmed.

“They are working on a comprehensive document and have made substantial progress,” Rice said of the framers of the Iraqi constitution. Rice sidestepped questions about the possible repercussions if the constitution isn't finished by the new deadline.

“They’re going to finish this,” Rice said. “I don’t think we do any good speculating beyond that, but they are focused on a course that will bring this to conclusion within seven days. They are really committed to a document that they can believe in.”

[Tesha]

5. Iraqi Kurdistan is far out of sync with the rest of the country.

Iraqi Kurdistan is far out of sync with the rest of the country.

It's almost as if we'd ended our Civil War by allowing the
Confederate-speaking parts of the country to have special
rules that allowed them to never display the United States
flag but instead the Confederate Flag, and such like.

The compromises made to get the Kurds on board were ridiculous
when considered against the need to form a unified nation.

Tesha

[Norrin Radd]

6. The purple ink must've worn off. n/t

[civildisoBDence]

7. In other words, the federalists would create a new province...

of Iran.

Ahmedinijad can thank DUHbya for that.

Newsprism