|
Slight changes were made to produce what Iraqi
officials say is the final version of the country's
constitution. A referendum on the charter is to be
held Oct. 15.
Article (3): CHANGED.
Old version: ''Iraq is a multiethnic,
multi-religious and multi-sect country. It is part
of the Islamic world and its Arab people are part of
the Arab nation.''
New version: ''Iraq is a multiethnic,
multi-religious and multi-sect country. It is part
of the Islamic world and is a founding and effective
member of the League of Arab Nations and is
committed to its charter.''
The reason: Sunni Arabs and the Arab League sought
the change to underline the country's connection to
the Arab world.
Article (44):
DELETED.
The removed text: All individuals have the right to
enjoy the rights stated in international human
rights agreements and treaties endorsed by Iraq that
don't run contrary to the principles and rules of
this constitution.
The reason: The United States reportedly sought its
removal, concerned it allowed the constitution to
supersede international treaties.
Article (110), Clause 7:
CHANGED.
Old version: ''drawing up the general water
resources policy and organizing it in a way that
would guarantee equitable distribution and this will
be regulated by law.''
New version: ''drawing up the general water
resources policy and organizing it in a way that
would guarantee fair distribution and this will be
regulated by law.''
The reason: Shiites wanted the clause to conform
with another article that talks about a ''fair
distribution'' of oil revenues. While Sunni Arabs
are afraid they will be cut out of oil revenues,
Shiites in the south fear being cut out of water
resources, since the country's rivers run through
Sunni and Kurdish regions before reaching the
Shiites. With the change, each group's demands will
be on the same basis.
Article (139):
ADDED.
The added text: ''The Prime Minister has two
deputies during the first parliamentary cycle.''
The reason: The Kurds sought this addition to ensure
ethnic balance: One deputy would presumably be
Kurdish, the other Sunni Arab with a Shiite prime
minister.
AP
Top |
® 