WASHINGTON (AFX) - Iraqi leaders are determined to meet the deadline to adopt a new constitution, but a short delay in completing a draft would not make a "huge difference," a top Iraqi official said Sunday.
Iraqi national security adviser Muwaffaq al-Rubaie said he was unable to confirm reports that the constitution drafting committee would ask for 30 extra days after the Aug 15 deadline to present a text.
In an interview with CNN television, he said: "I believe we will try our best to stick to the timetable, because it is very important ... for the credibility of the government, and for the political process as well."
He said the text still needs some "fine-tuning" on the extent of federal authority and the role of religion before it is put to a popular referendum, currently scheduled for Oct 15 under the current constitutional timetable.
"And a couple of days or a few days is not going to make a huge difference," he added when questioned about a possible delay.
"I think we need to get our Sunni Arabs included in the political process. It is pivotal part of the Iraqi society, and also if we get -- if we want to get the referendum and the -- our people to ratify our draft of constitution in the next referendum, we need to include every part of Iraq."
The US and Britain fear delaying a constitution could slow the political transition, strengthen the hand of the insurgents and force them to keep troops in Iraq longer.
lt/tw/bam
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Iraqi national security adviser Muwaffaq al-Rubaie said he was unable to confirm reports that the constitution drafting committee would ask for 30 extra days after the Aug 15 deadline to present a text.
In an interview with CNN television, he said: "I believe we will try our best to stick to the timetable, because it is very important ... for the credibility of the government, and for the political process as well."
He said the text still needs some "fine-tuning" on the extent of federal authority and the role of religion before it is put to a popular referendum, currently scheduled for Oct 15 under the current constitutional timetable.
"And a couple of days or a few days is not going to make a huge difference," he added when questioned about a possible delay.
"I think we need to get our Sunni Arabs included in the political process. It is pivotal part of the Iraqi society, and also if we get -- if we want to get the referendum and the -- our people to ratify our draft of constitution in the next referendum, we need to include every part of Iraq."
The US and Britain fear delaying a constitution could slow the political transition, strengthen the hand of the insurgents and force them to keep troops in Iraq longer.
lt/tw/bam
COPYRIGHT
Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved.
The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
AFX News and the AFX Financial News logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
For more information and to contact AFX: www.afxnews.com and www.afxpress.com
© 2005 AFX News
