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"It
is in the interest of the Sunnis to participate
without making excuses," Zebari said in an
interview..
"If they do not take part the constitution will not
reflect their hopes and ambitions and the process
will not stop. There is a timetable and Iraq has to
honour international commitments according to U.N.
resolutions," he said.
Iraq's Sunni population, which enjoyed political
privileges since Iraq was founded in the 1920s,
mostly stayed away from general elections in January
that produced a U.S.-backed government dominated by
Shi'ites and Kurds.
Iraqi officials still hope broader Sunni
participation in post elections politics, including
the constitution, would help undermine the mostly
Sunni-led insurgency.
The rebels have caused chronic instability after the
U.S-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in
2003.
Zebari, a Kurd, said Iraq would stabilise
regardless, adding that the Sunnis have committed a
"deadly mistake" by not taking part in the
elections.
TEST
"The test is whether we succeed in the political
process, write the constitution and hold elections.
This will influence this wave of violence, murder
and destruction," he said.
A referendum on the constitution is due to be held
before another general election at the end of the
year.
Sunni members on a committee drafting the
constitution have suspended their membership after
the recent killings of a Sunni member and another
Sunni official.
"It must be made abundantly clear that those who
committed this crime are remnants of Saddam who are
trying to destroy and sabotage this process," Zebari
said.
"The constitution is for every Iraqi and the process
is transparent," said Zebari, who was in Amman to
chair a meeting of senior Iraqi diplomats.
The minister is closely related to Masoud Barzani,
president of Iraqi Kurdistan. Both men have been at
the front of the Kurdish self-determination movement
for decades.
The rise to power of Shi'ites and Kurds, who were
marginalised politically under Saddam's rule, has
generally angered Sunnis.
The Sunnis are divided about whether to take part in
the post-Saddam government with many in the
community questioning the legitimacy of what they
perceive as a U.S.-installed administration without
broad political consensus.
Senior Shi'ite and Kurdish officials say privately
Sunnis were mistaken if they thought the Kurds and
Shi'ites would abandon their political gains, even
if U.S. forces leave Iraq and the chances for a
civil war increase.
Zebari said Iraq, which holds the world's second
largest oil reserves, will proceed peacefully toward
a constitutionally enshrined federal democracy and
regain its regional prominence despite the Sunni
problem.
"The power of Iraq will show from now on through its
human capital and economic achievements," he said.
"The resources will finally go for the prosperity of
the people instead of weapons and wars."
Reuters
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