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Insurgents kill nine more in Iraq bombing
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-30 19:45
In Washington, the top American commander in Iraq said Thursday that the
process of withdrawing U.S. troops depends greatly on the results of the
referendum and elections set to follow if the constitution passes. "The next 75
days are going to be critical," Gen. George Casey told the Senate Armed Services
Committee.
But Sunni Arab success in rejecting the constitution would set back the
political process for months, prolonging Iraq's political instability.
Sunnis make up only 20 percent of the population, but they could defeat the
charter because of a loophole in voting rules: If two-thirds of voters in any
three of Iraq's 18 provinces vote "no," the referendum fails — even if an
overall majority approves. There are four provinces where Sunnis could
potentially cross that margin.
Sunni leaders complain the constitution does not emphasize Iraq's unity and
Arab character. They say its federal system — which would allow Shiites in the
south and Kurds in the north to form mini-states — will leave Sunnis in a weak
middle region, cheated of oil resources.
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