US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD3452

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003452 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ, INR/P 
 
E.0. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPRC, KMDR, KPAO, IZ, Media, BAGHDAD 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI GOVERNMENT, CONSTITUTION; BAGHDAD 
 
SUMMARY: Discussions on the Constitution was the major editorial 
theme of the daily newspapers on August 22, 2005. END SUMMARY. 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
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A. "Constitutional Discussions" (Al-Adala, 8/22) 
B. "Why Are We Afraid of Federalism" (Al-Sabah, 8/22) 
C. "The Disagreement Points are Increasing" (Al-Furat, 8/22) 
D. "This Morning" (Al-Sabah Al-Jadeed, 8/22) 
E. "Dividing Iraq Away from the National Zeal" (Al-Mashriq, 8/22) 
F. "What is the Argument For the Constitution? (Al-Ittihad, 8/22) 
 
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SELECTED COMMENTARIES 
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A. "Constitutional Discussions" 
(Al-Adala Newspaper in Arabic P 3 Editorial by Ali Khalif) 
 
"The current discussions on the constitution among the Iraqi politici 
important step in Iraq's journey to democracy.  However, it seems as 
political group is trying to impose its own agenda on the constitutio 
who hold political opinions that do not serve the Iraqi national inte 
those who oppose the idea of federalism in Iraq might have accepted i 
resources in their own provinces.  If we believe in democracy and fre 
be afraid of federalism . . . But I think that some political groups 
because of that they try to dominate all other groups. These are the 
idea of Kurdish federalism while at the same time refuse the concept 
federal territories in any other part of Iraq . . . Nevertheless, the 
process represents a great achievement and the Iraqi politicians who 
in this process must complete the task of drafting a constitution tha 
Iraqi people.  We do not like anyone to make use of this achievement 
platform to launch bombastic slogans.  The Iraqi people want to live 
want to enjoy their fair share of Iraqi wealth and natural resources. 
 
B. "Why Are We Afraid of Federalism" 
(Al-Sabah Newspaper in Arabic p. 2 Editorial By Sa'eed Abdul Hadi) 
 
"Until yesterday, federalism was an obstacle in the way of reaching a 
constitution draft.  As everyone knows there is a Shiite-Kurdish agre 
However, the Sunnis call for non-centralism of provinces and totally 
The Arab Sunnis think that federalism will lead to the unfair distrib 
resources among provinces.  We do not know the reason behind such fea 
politicians unanimously agreed on the distribution of natural resourc 
media focuses on the positive points of federalism and how important 
development.  The conservative Pan Arab media outlets severely attack 
Iraq.  We feel that they attack federalism in Iraq because they want 
political establishment.  Those establishments would be threatened if 
succeeded in Iraq . . . The Arab countries are still governed by tyra 
regimes give a very good picture of what is called as the eastern tyr 
progressive Arab press opposes the rights of Iraqis to establish thei 
Administrative federalism in Iraq is necessary because it would resto 
our many ethnic groups.  We must not say bad things about each other. 
things like; Sunnis refuse federalism because they want to implement 
project for the sake of our neighbors or accuse the Shiites of being 
plan in Iraq.  These accusations come from those who want to destroy 
and encourage sectarianism . . . What will the Shiites lose if a cent 
established that represented the majority in Iraq?   What will the mi 
from having a central government?  There must be a national movement 
honest Arab writers must support this move . . . Iraq is moving forwa 
democratic process will never stop.  Disagreements among Iraq's Shiit 
Kurds are a healthy point in this process." 
 
C. "The Disagreement Points are Increasing" 
(Al-Furat Newspaper in Arabic P 2 Editorial By Majed Fadhel Al-Zaboon 
 
"Despite the Constitution Drafting Committee's announcement that the 
working on the Constitution have resolved their differences and reach 
seems that there are still arguing . . . In fact they are still tryin 
sixty-six different points.   How did six points of disagreement turn 
of disagreement? . . . One of my colleagues thought that members of t 
Drafting Committee would not be able to read the constitution article 
electricity where he lives.   He lives far away from the Internationa 
nothing about the concrete walls and unlimited electricity. My other 
that they should schedule their discussions about the disagreement po 
with that solution is that Arabs want a schedule according to the Ara 
the Kurds want the Kurdish alphabetic, the same goes for others polit 
Ambassador Khalilzad, our American brother, suggested that they use t 
alphabetic. Everyone respects his wisdom and they liked the idea.  Ho 
to add more articles to the Iraqi constitution draft.  When some of t 
Drafting Committee members protested, he used his veto against them! 
to do so because the United States is a permanent member in the Inter 
Council . . . This is why the members of the Constitution Security Co 
democratic additions.   They accent the federalism, and fit into the 
are right for Iraq.  They were so happy with Ambassador Khalilzad tha 
him." 
 
*Translators note: the author is actually sarcastically criticizing t 
writing the Iraqi constitution. 
 
D. "This Morning" 
(As-Sabah Al-Jadeed Newspaper in Arabic P. 1 Editorial by Ismael Zayy 
 
"The completed constitution will begin the next stage in our country' 
do not worry about Qatar.  Do not waste time on others issue or other 
campaigns against us. Go ahead brothers and ensure our children's fut 
not mean that you should be careless and accept anyone's opinion into 
But we should stand behind our own opinions about this historical doc 
establish the basic elements for the government in the new Iraq . . . 
participate in the referendum and vote for the constitution. It does 
vote.  The most important thing is that we are free to express our op 
should first read the document and understand what it means.  We shou 
issues raised in this document.  Then we are prepared to express our 
.If we reject any interference in our affairs, and refuse to allow th 
our land, we should show the world that we are a nation that says wha 
the courage to express its opinions. Casting a vote on the constituti 
national, Arab, and international recognition.  It is the first step 
 
E. "Dividing Iraq Away from the National Zeal" 
(Al-Mashriq Newspaper in Arabic P7 Editorial by Shamil Abdul Qader) 
 
"Some Iraqis have two main ideas about the unity of Iraq.  One is tha 
divided, and two is that dividing Iraq would be an attack against the 
States to maintain Iraqi unity.  However, most Iraqis believe that Ir 
They think that the governments of Western and Middle Eastern countri 
all along to divide Iraq for the benefit of Middle Eastern forces.  T 
Iraq and its unity view federalism as a step backward under the prete 
from a centralized government . . . The former United States Civil Ad 
Ambassador Paul Bremmer repeated many times that he refused federalis 
sectarian issues.  He maintained that he agreed with geographical fed 
that Iraq will be turned into 18 federal territories instead of 18 pr 
understand that Iraq needs a centralized government for security.  We 
Ja'afari's government will give us the centralization of the former r 
destroy the idea of division.  Their anger will come down on the head 
and on the heads of those who are trying to finance its division." 
 
F. "What is the Argument For the Constitution? 
(Al-Ittihad Newspaper in Arabic P 5 Editorial by Karekar Abdullah Khu 
 
"In today's session of the Transitional National Assembly, the Consti 
decided or refused . . . In support of the Constitution, many press s 
issued, and there have been many meetings for the leaders of the poli 
Everyone is working on the Constitution's controversial issues.   The 
the results to the Iraqi people.  However, they are bored with the is 
another postponement . . . The leaders of the political blocks have i 
about the significant restrictions facing them.  If they are able to 
the constitution draft, that very act will save Iraq.  The completed 
up new horizons for the Iraqi people and will kick start reconstructi 
a break from the their current miserable condition . . . When the Pol 
complete the draft, it will need the approval of the TNA.  If the Ass 
approve the draft the political process goes back to the beginning. 
to the Iraqi people in many ways.  The political, economic, security 
consequences of a denial will dishearten the people.  It will also me 
of continued suffering, that included a dangerous election, they only 
benefits . . . The elected National Assembly should have finished the 
the efforts of the Constitution Drafting Committee by the first deadl 
reach an accord.  That fact compelled the president to have the polit 
together in order to solve the restrictions . . . The statements are 
optimistic and some are pessimistic that the document will be finishe 
the TNA decision will remove these all doubts that the government is 
future . . . We still optimistic that the TNA will give us our final 
the draft the country will sink into chaos and face continued foreign 
internal issues . . . Iraqis want a constitution that will protect th 
country, and ensure a bright future for their children. We are waitin 
Assembly to decide the constitution, prepare the referendum and hold 
 
 
 
Khalilzad