Iraqi constitution draws Ankara’s criticism

The Turkish government voiced their concerns to the U.S. administration. Among the particularly objectionable parts of the draft according to Ankara were the fact that the Constitution would grant veto rights to Kurds in the event of any proposed future revisions, the fact that it did not respect the balance among ethnic entities and the fact that it appeared to be mortgaging Iraq’s future before the elections.

U.S. Ankara Embassy Undersecretary, Robert Deutch, was summoned to the Foreign Minister last evening, whereupon Ankara’s concerns and recommendations were made known to Deutch. Ankara requested that the Parliament to be formed after the general elections be the ones who determine the future of Iraq, rather than having Iraq’s future mapped out in the Iraq Temporary Constitution.

Another major objection of Ankara was that the draft granted Kurds the right to veto possible Constitutional amendments in the future while at the same time not sufficiently recognizing Shiite and Turkmen’s rights for representation. Turkey maintains that the temporary Constitution, as is, will threaten the welfare of the entire region.

In the approval process, serious difficulties were experienced because of the insufficient and unbalanced formation of the administration council. Five Shiite members of the Temporary Governing Council, who were expected to sign the draft yesterday, objected to the draft and as a consequence the signature ceremony was postponed. Shiite sources report that the Shiite Leader, Ayetollah Sistani, particularly objected to the items added into the draft by Kurds; therefore he urged that the draft not be signed.

Turkey underlined that the content does not address all the ethnic elements in Iraq. In a Foreign Ministry statement released last evening, it was recommended, "For the sake of Iraq and the region’s welfare, these negativities should be removed before the Draft is signed."

The statement cautioned about trying to push a draft through just to fulfill a predetermined deadline, and instead placed importance on a structure based upon healthy fundamentals.

Turkey reiterated that it would maintain its policy of an Iraq that is stated as an Iraq in territorial integrity, maintained in its unity, peaceful and stabile, progressing in democracy, and in peace with its people and its neighbors. It was also underlined that Turkey would assist Iraqis during the transitional period.