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Constitution Committee Signs Draft Charter | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Iraqi Sunni negotiator Saleh al-Motlag speaks atthe press following negotiations 27 August 2005 (AP)


Iraqi Sunni negotiator Saleh al-Motlag speaks atthe press following negotiations 27 August 2005 (AP)

Iraqi Sunni negotiator Saleh al-Motlag speaks atthe press following negotiations 27 August 2005 (AP)

BAGHDAD, Iraq, AP -Members of Iraq”s constitution drafting committee signed the draft charter Sunday after making some minor amendments, but two Sunni Arab negotiators said the Sunni team rejected the final charter.

Mohammed Abed-Rabbou, one of the four principle negotiators on the 15-member Sunni team, said the Sunni officials refused to accept the draft &#34because the points of disagreement were not amended&#34 to their satisfaction.

Those included proposals to transform Iraq into a federated country and references to Saddam Hussein”s Baath Party.

Another Sunni negotiator, Fakhr al-Qaisi, said the draft was rejected because of wording about &#34Iraq”s unity, Iraq”s Arab identity.&#34

The comments set the stage for a bitter political battle before the Oct. 15 referendum when Iraqis will decide whether to accept or reject the document.

Iraqi Sunni and Shiite Arabs demonstrate for Iraqi unity and against federalism (AP)

Iraqi Sunni and Shiite Arabs demonstrate for Iraqi unity and against federalism (AP)

Iraqi Arabs register at a center to be able to take part in the upcoming referendum on the constitution (AFP)

Iraqi Arabs register at a center to be able to take part in the upcoming referendum on the constitution (AFP)