ARmy Rumour SErvice

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exer...762C906A7C.htm

The votes have been counted and the draft constitution approved, but Iraqi opinion remains divided over the referendum results.


While the passage of the constitution has been welcomed by many, an equally vocal section is crying foul, alleging large-scale fraud.

Hussain al-Shahristani, deputy chairman of the Iraqi National Congress welcomed the results as positive.

Ali al-Lami, a politician from the al-Daawa Party which supported the draft constitution, also hailed the results. "The majority of Iraqis actually find it the best solution for avoiding future emergence of any possible dictators in the Iraqi state," he said.

Supporters of the constitution claim federalism is the only way to restore rights to the provinces neglected earlier and ensure equitable distribution of the country's wealth.

The outcome of the 15 October referendum finally hinged on the results of the mainly Sunni northern province of Nineveh which was among the last provinces to declare its results.

Two other Sunni majority provinces had already voted against the charter by the necessary two-thirds majority but Nineveh voters only rejected the text by 55% to 45%, insufficient to block its adoption.

Critics

But those opposed to the constitution have been less than gracious in defeat. They say the new charter will result in a form of cantonisation, dividing Iraq into small weak states.

"If the governor of Nasiriya province refused to provide electricity to Baghdad while he was getting a salary from the central government, do you think he will give anything when he is independent? We are not ready for this nonsense yet," said Safaa al-Ani, a senior member of the National Dialogue Congress


Mahmood al-Azzawi, also a prominent member of the National Dialogue Congress claimed the entire electoral process was rigged.

"Fraud occurred, especially in regard to the Mosul vote. It is too big to have any dispute about."

He added: "Eighty-six per cent of Mosul's residents voted no and that was according to accurate statistics made by over 300 independent supervisors in the province."

Salih al-Mutlag, the spokesman for the National Dialogue Congress, said a recount in Mosul will possibly be demanded.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exer...CFF8C2A840.htm

Nearly all Sunnis voted against the constitution, fearing that it would break Iraq into two oil-rich nearly autonomous regions - a Kurdish one in the north and a Shia one in the south - and leave most Sunni in a weak district in central and western Iraq.

Tariq al-Hashimi, the general-secretary of the Iraqi Islamic party dismissed such allegations and said Sunni Arabs region contain the source of life of the Iraqi south where Shia live, which is water.

"If Sunnis are just fearing from being left without oil we would not have gone to the Shia and Kurds to ask them to change the constitution and make Iraq's natural resources under the control of the central government" he told Aljazeera.net

Gold star for Jonwilly and PTP :D

How long before they start fighting over that Jon?

Knowledgebale people have for over 20 years been telling me that water is the next thing nations will fight over.
Iraq is the land of the two rivers and it was they that determined the location of Bagdhad way back in history.
Mind you the water cums from the mountains of Turkey one more factor to confuse the issue.
King George says once again we are in untill the Iraqi Forces can do the biz.
He needs the Reservists and National Guard out for next years congresional/senate erections.
The plans would need to be made soon if not already.
john
Scotland controls so much of Englands water, howcum savages get so much of natures narural resourses ?

Originally Posted by jonwilly

Vote soon, vote often.
john
Trad USA Annon

That suggestion was attributed to Al Capone but I have read that it was more likely coined by one of his lieutenants, Murray "The Camel" Humphries who came to these shores from Wales.

Humphries, the sometimes Will Rogers of organized crime, has also been credited with the aphorism (also frequently but wrongly attributed to Mr. Capone) that you'll get better results with a smile and a gun than you would with just a smile.