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As
deputies struggle to reach agreement over the
constitution, Iraqis are generally optimistic about
the impact it will have.
Disputes have plagued the drafting of the new
constitution, but many here say they are hopeful
that the final document will make Iraq a more stable
and secure county.
The parliament elected during the January 30
elections considers the drafting of a constitution
to be one of its primary duties. It will be put to
the Iraqi people in a referendum in October.
But there have been many obstacles to completing the
document - most recently, a disagreement over the
number of Sunnis who should be appointed to a
parliamentary drafting committee.
The committee has now been expanded to include 15
Sunnis, as well as 10 others who will act as
advisers.
It is also dealing with disputes over federalism,
the status of ethnically-mixed Kirkuk and the role
of Islam in government. Some of the Sunnis on the
committee object to Iraq being established as a
federal nation, since they claim it would divide the
country.
The problems encountered by legislators has led to
speculation over whether the deadline for drafting
the constitution - August 15 - will be achieved.
Still, Iraqis are generally hopeful that the
constitution will bring political progress.
"The constitution will have good results - it is a
step towards building democracy," said Khalid al-Azzawi,
a 53-year-old researcher.
Others believe it will improve the security
situation, which has recently deteriorated, with 43
fatalities across the country on July 10 alone.
"The constitution will make things better and Iraq
will be more stable and secure," said Osama Abbas,
28, an arts school graduate.
Ihab Sabry, a 25-year-old taxi driver, said he now
lives in fear because of the violence in the city.
"I hope once we apply the constitution, it will make
things less tense," he said.
As politicians discuss the content of the
constitution, ordinary Iraqis have also been
expressing their views, especially on two of the
most contentious issues - federalism and the degree
to which Islam should influence legislation.
Two Baghadad residents IWPR spoke to reflected
widely held views on these issues.
"Federalism serves the unity of Iraq if it is not
based on national or ethnical bases," said Ammar al-Mishadani,
35, a pediatrician. "And Islam should not be the
unique source of legislation because we have many
other religions."
Yaser Kareem, a 17-year-old student, agrees.
"Federalism is very important for Iraq and I do
prefer it," he said. "Islam should be one of many
sources of legislation in Iraq."
Some Iraqis are concerned with Sunni participation
in the writing of the constitution, suspecting that
they will cause problems if they do not get what
they want.
"I think Sunnis will set the constitution up for
failure if their requests are not fulfilled," said
Mustafa Ali, 35, a storekeeper. "They have always
been hungry for power."
But just as many people believe that it's important
for all sections of Iraqi society to be involved in
constitutional negotiations.
But Ahmed Kasim, 38, a computer science graduate,
said, "Let the constitution represent even those who
carry weapons to oppose the occupation."
Ultimately, though, a good number IWPR spoke to said
they didn't really care who was involved in writing
the constitution so long as the rights of citizens
and the stability of the country was secured.
Ali Marzook is an IWPR trainee in Baghdad.
www.iwpr.net
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