Iraqi constitution delay signals waning U.S. influence

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11083414&BRD=1613&PAG=461&dept_id=159372&rfi=6

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The snag over signing Iraq's interim constitution shows how power is shifting here, with Washington's ability to sway events diminishing as the June 30 deadline for the end of the U.S.-led occupation nears.
Weeks of intense negotiations under strong U.S. pressure produced a charter that American administrator L. Paul Bremer hailed as "really unprecedented" in Iraq's history and "in the history of the region" because of its protection of civil rights and promotion of the rule of law.

In the end, however, five Shiite Muslim members of the Governing Council refused to sign, because the country's premier Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, believed the document did not promote the power of the majority Shiite community. The council later announced it would reconvene Monday to sign the charter after a weekend of consultations.

But even if that happens, the delay was more than an embarrassment for the Coalition Provisional Authority, which had invited the world's media to witness the Friday signing. By announcing that the occupation will end June 30, the Americans are now self-proclaimed lame ducks whose influence is ebbing, giving way to Iraqi politicians and the Shiite clergy.

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[alcuno]

1. The Ayatollah new exactly what he was doing.

The pens were out, the children were singing, and the media was in place. He just figured out in the last minutes that there was a problem? I don't think so.

[FloridaPat]

2. They will not be ending the occupation in June. This is a slight-of-hand

trick to make US citizens believe Iraq has a new government. They may have one, but the troops are not coming home any time soon. Which means one false move after the election and Bremer is back in.

Another thing is, once Iraq has a "legal" government, the oil sales contracts can begin. Important to get them signed just in case Bush doesn't get elected.