Group Criticizes Iraq Constitution Panel

Group Criticizes Iraq Constitution Panel
By Associated Press

7:03 AM PDT, August 17, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The largest Sunni Arab political party criticized the committee drafting the constitution on Wednesday, calling it biased and chaotic.

The Iraqi Islamic Party, which has members on the committee, accused the panel of trying divert discussions away from Sunni objections over federalism.

The party said in a statement that federalism is only suitable in the Kurdish-self ruled areas and not elsewhere. It also insisted that the new constitution affirm the country's Arab and Islamic identity.

The party, which has roots in the Muslim Brotherhood, also demanded that Islam be declared the main source in legislation -- a measure opposed by Kurds and women's activists.

The group also rejected giving the Shiite clerical hierarchy in Najaf a special status "because there is no need to put sectarian issues in the contestation."

It added that Iraq's wealth should be for all the people and an elected government will decide how it should be distributed "according to needs and development plans."

The Iraqis failed to meet a Monday deadline for drafting a new constitution and parliament voted to give negotiators an extra week to try to reach agreement.