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BAGHDAD, Aug 28 (AFP) - 17h47 - Iraq's draft
constitution is the most progressive document in the
Muslim world, US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said
Sunday, after the charter was presented to
parliament following weeks of tortuous debate.
"The draft constitution of Iraq is the most
progressive document of the Muslim world," Khalilzad
told reporters.
He said the new charter protects the unity of the
war-torn nation and also advocates women's rights.
"The draft constitution protects the unity of Iraq,"
said Khalizad, who was closely involved in the
crafting of the charter.
Commenting on Kurdish autonomy, Khalilzad said the
charter actually reunites northern Iraq with the
rest of the country.
"The Kurdish leaders are bringing their region back
into Iraq," he said, noting Iraqi Kurdistan had been
running its own affairs since the country's defeat
in the 1991 Gulf War over Kuwait.
Khalilzad also said the new charter ensured women's
rights. "Women have the right to participate fully
in public activities," he added, pointing out that
25 percent of parliament seats were reserved for
women.
Speaking earlier to the US television network NBC,
Khalilzad said that if Iraq's Sunni Muslims failed
to approve the constitution it would be a problem.
"If the Sunnis do vote for it and approve the
constitution ... then it will be a national
contract," the ambassador said. "If they don't, then
it will be a problem," he added.
Khalilzad also said Iraqi rebels will continue their
campaign of violence despite any political progress.
"The insurgents have declared war on the
constitution, they have declared war on the
election," he told NBC.
He rejected charges that religious statements in the
new charter would lead Iraq to become an Islamic
state based on shariah law. "The words ... are the
same as in the constitution of Afghanistan," he
said.
The Islamic roots of law in the Iraqi constitution
are balanced by declarations for principles of
democracy and human rights, Khalilzad said, making
it a pathbreaking "new synthesis" for the Middle
East.
He said that, under the charter, Iraqis will be able
to choose between civil law and shariah law for
their own personal legal needs. In this way, it is
"no different than is what is the case in Israel",
Khalilzad said.
AFP
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