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Iraqi Shiites Demand Autonomy
With four days left until Iraqâs leaders have promised a draft constitution, powerful Islamist leaders made a dramatic bid yesterday to have a big, autonomous Shiite region across the oil-rich south. The head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) spelled out his demands to tens of thousands of chanting supporters in the Shiite holy city of Najaf. But minority Sunni and secular opponents, as well as rival Shiite Islamists in the coalition national government, swiftly poured cold water on an idea that fueled fears about sectarian battles over oil and Iranian-style religious rule in the south. Some saw it as a negotiating tactic ahead of a self-imposed deadline on Monday to present the draft to parliament; a top Shiite negotiator, who dismissed the demand made by SCIRI chief Abdel Aziz Al-Hakim, said 16 points were still in dispute. It was unclear whether the row â and continued arguments over the extent of Islamic law â would delay delivery of a text that Washington hopes can help quell the Sunni insurgency. The crucial issue is the nature of federalism and the quest for wording to satisfy Kurdish demands for continued autonomy in the north, Shiite hopes for some new autonomy in the south, and also address concerns among Sunni Arabs and others in the center that they not be left with a rump Iraqi state deprived of oil. âIf we can deal with that...we should finish in the next few days so the draft will be ready on time,â Bahaa Al-Araji, a senior Shiite on the constitution drafting panel, told Reuters. âIf there were Shiite and Sunni regions it would simply entrench sectarianism and destroy the unity of Iraq.âUS diplomats, active on the sidelines of talks on what is a vital project for American interests, have clear reservations about SCIRIâs traditional ties to Washingtonâs regional foe Iran and make plain they will not stand for clerical rule in Iraq. Hakim, a striking figure in clerical robes whose long exile in Tehran make him a figure of suspicion for many Sunnis, was backed up in his demands at the Najaf rally by the leader of the Badr movement, formed in Iran as the armed wing of SCIRI. Posted by: Fred 2005-08-12 |
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