An Iraqi boy stops his game of soccer in the streets of Baghdad as a United States Marine walking point approaches during a patrol by a squad from Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines.
Iraqi Constitution Raises Hopes and Fears
By Kara Presnell, 11.03.05
Opinions among Americans over the recent adoption of an Iraqi constitution are mixed.
U.S. Army Veteran Christopher Brent said the constitution is “Going to lead to the breakup of Iraq and civil war.”
“The Sunnis didn’t vote for it, and the Kurds in the north have always wanted their own country anyway, so I think it will lead to the breakup of the country into three different countries with the Sunnis, the Shiites and the Kurds.
Based on the existing geographical divide between the three groups, Brent predicts there will be a civil war and that the groups will split off. He said a split could be a good thing.
“They would probably be better off splitting into three different countries because of their religious and political differences anyway,” he said.
On the other hand, Jack Carmichael views the new constitution as positive for the country in particular and the world in general.
“I think it’s progress,” he said. “It’s definitely a step in the right direction. It’s not perfect but no process like that is every going to be perfect.”
Carmichael said he agrees there is a potential for a civil war in the country but is optimistic that won’t happen.
“The Sunnis are gradually being drawn in to the process. I think the majority of Sunnis dislike what has been going on anyway and with them being drawn into the process they’ll see that they are not going to be powerless under the new constitution,” he said.
Many Sunni Arabs, embittered over the loss of the domination they had enjoyed under Saddam Hussein, a fellow Sunni, boycotted the Jan. 30 election.
But surprisingly large numbers of Sunni Arabs voted in the Oct. 15 constitutional referendum, and many also plan to take part in the Dec. 15 election in an effort to win more seats in parliament.
On Wednesday, Oct. 26, leaders of the three Sunni groups - the General Conference for the People of Iraq, the Iraqi Islamic Party and the Iraqi National Dialogue - announced they would field a joint slate of candidates and work together in the new parliament to promote Sunni interests. Its agenda is expected to include a call for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces from Iraq, if progress can be made in building national institutions.
Carmichael said he is encouraged by the Sunnis involvement. “They are participating more than people thought they would,” he said. “It’s going to be a long, slow process, and they may wind up replacing their constitution like we did ours but at least they are involved in the process. There is still a chance of civil war but hopefully it won’t happen.”
Iraq's two largest Kurdish parties, President Jalal Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Masoud Barzani, also have announced that their alliance will remain in place for the December vote.
Shiite politicians are apparently continuing last-minute talks in an effort to persuade Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Chalabi, a former Pentagon insider, to join the United Iraqi Alliance ticket. Chalabi ran under the Alliance standard in January but is apparently holding out for a promise of a greater role if the Shiites control the next government.
“I think that Dr. Chalabi will be part of the United Iraqi Alliance,” said Shiite politician Abbas al-Bayati. “He is keen to be within the Alliance and the Alliance is keen to include him.”
However, Americans are anxious for their loved ones to come home. Fallon Nichols, whose husband is serving in Iraq, said she is hopeful that the adoption of the constitution will bring her husband home.
“That’s all I want really,” she said. “I don’t know if that country will ever be at peace or able to govern themselves but this is a step toward bringing my husband home.”
