CNN Breaking - Delay in signing of Iraq Interim Constitution

[Cooley Hurd]

Shiite members of the Governing Council are having "reservations." CNN's Jane Arraf is saying the reservations held by the Shias are described as "significant."

Still no link yet (9:18 am)...

[Atman]

1. No problem...happy news already went out

NBC lead with a super-happy celebratory report, complete with reporter in from of sunny palm grove (not exploding mass mob) telling us about this great day for the Iraqis. Women have rights now! And this is true western-style democracy, finally, after all these years of oppression...and of course, Bush is to thank (even showed file pics of Bush at the big table). He briefly, briefly said "it calls upon Islam for guidance with the law, but does not make Islam the law."

Yeah! Right!

Who cares what happens? Friday morning, everybody got to see the happy news and take it to work with them to spew over the water cooler.

Everything is going according to plan.

[Cooley Hurd]

3. Women had rights before (under Saddam)...

In fact, Iraqi women enjoyed rights unparalleled in the entire region.

[Khephra]

5. Is anyone really surprised?

I know I'm not.

[Cooley Hurd]

7. I was surprised they were going to pass it to begin with...

How out of touch is the governing council to believe that the passage of anything by them would be recognized by rank-and-file Iraqis (especially by Shiias)? Do they really believe they have any credibility with the citizens of Iraq?

If so, give me some of what they're on 'cause it's gotta be some good stuff!

[Ripley]

2. Yikes, I need some coffee.

I thought that said "Delay is signing Iraq Interim Constituion"

As in Tom Delay.

I heard a preview of this yesterday on NPR when they were talking about the coming Civil War. :eyes:

[Khephra]

6. I did too

Get me a pepsi while you're up, please!

:evilgrin:

[Bridget Burke]

19. Me too....

I was wondering how that little f*cker was able to spread his tentacles so far from Sugarland.

[Mari333]

4. Civil war anyone? and more wounded and dead troops

as this puppet govt goes on .
bring em home now
http://bringthemhomenow.com

[Gasolinedream]

8. Here is a major problem...

with their Constitution and why it will not last. Don't get me wrong--I would actually like to see these people be happy, but with this type of Constitutution it will NEVER happen.

"The draft constitution recognizes Islam as one source of legislation, instead of as the sole source as some officials wanted. The draft states that no law will be passed that violates Islam's tenets, a spokesman for council member Ahmad Chalabi said this week."

Basically, a Theocracy. And however extreme and literal the leaders are will determine how bad it is to live there.

[PassingFair]

9. Oh, those poor bastards

It's either repressive theocracy or Chalabi's henchmen, or BOTH!
Good thing we've forced democracy on them
:wave the flag:

[kurtyboy]

18. This is exactly what they authorized in Afghanistan

The "No law in violation of the Sharia." part.

Bottom line, as you say, Theocracy. And while that is just maintaining the status quo in Afghanistan, it is a decided step (or twenty steps) backward for Iraq, which before the invasion was the only secular state in the entire middle east.

To have * crow about women's rights in the region every time he opens his mouth is just one more of the million or so hypocritical positions he takes. When the theocracy is installed, the women will have no rights, and whatever Democracy we've tried to kindle will flicker away.

Nice going, *.

[NashVegas]

10. Here's a Link (Yahoo/AP)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&e=1&u=/ap/20040305/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_constitution_delay

[Cooley Hurd]

11. Thanks, Crisco!

I was having a hard time finding one...

[muriel_volestrangler]

12. More detail at the BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3534879.stm

A coalition spokesman said he thought it would still be signed on Friday.

There is apparently a dispute over two elements of the Transitional Administrative Law (the interim constitution) which, until now, had not seemed to be at issue.
...
Unconfirmed reports suggest the Shia may have now gone back on a pledge to give constitutional guarantees to the Kurds.

Reports say the Shia may also want a five-member rotating presidency with majority of three Shias. The draft document stipulates a president and two deputies.

[Cooley Hurd]

13. CNN link:

Iraq constitution-signing delayed

<snip>
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq's 25-member Governing Council gathered Friday to sign a transitional constitution, a legal framework to guide the war-wracked nation through the early days of sovereignty.

But a potentially serious, last-minute hitch delayed the event, scheduled for 8 a.m. EST, an official said. Several Shiite members of the council expressed reservations and don't want to sign the document until those concerns are worked out, the official said. The official did not say what the reservations were.
</snip>

[Cooley Hurd]

15. More from the same CNN article...

Damn, and this was going to be a big shindig. Damn them Shiite party-poopers...

<snip>
A formally dressed, six-piece classic music group played under the watch of a U.S. soldier in combat gear as officials trickled in the for 4 p.m. (8 a.m. ET) ceremony at the former conference hall of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.

The document is to be signed on a desk used by King Faisal I. Faisal led Iraq when the country received its independence in 1932 after years under a League of Nations mandate administered by Britain.
</snip>

[hippiechick]

14. I've got a lil problem with this Iraqi council thingie ....

IT'S U.S. APPOINTED which means it sure as HELL doesn't represent what the Iraqi people might possibly want !!!

We're 'bringing democracy' to a country via a council that the BFEE handpicked ??? :wtf:


Am I the only one whose noticed that small irony ???


:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:



:hippie:

[calimary]

20. Yes, indeed, I noticed that. As did one of the Yahoo message posters.

In the story whose link is posted above here - one reaction was MOST astute:

"I don't believe in democracy forced on people."

I saw a few moments (nauseating as they were) of Geraldo on the Pox Network talking about how, from what he's seen, 95 percent of the Iraqis love what's happened. That all the shops are open and people can come and go...

I feel like I've gone through the looking glass.

[Pale_Rider]

16. Probably the Bush Administration ...

... is trying to get inserted the Federal Marriage Admendment so that they can claim victory in the general campaign.

[alcuno]

17. Sistani is playing the US like a fiddle.

It's no accident that they waited UNTIL the signing ceremony.