Iraq launches security clampdown ahead of vote on constitution

BAGHDAD – Iraqi authorities launched a security clampdown yesterday ahead of a referendum on a new constitution after political leaders hammered out a deal to try to ensure a “yes” vote despite Sunni Arab hostility.

As security forces set up barricades and checkpoints by polling stations, Iraqi detainees and hospital patients were casting their ballots, two days before 15,5 million voters nationwide get their chance to approve or reject a basic law for the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. Lawmakers endorsed last-minute changes to the charter on Wednesday in a bid to ease bitter ethnic divisions ahead of the vote, while Sunni-backed insurgents struck again in attempts to disrupt the democratic process.Under the deal, Iraqi Shi’ite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders agreed to several new elements and modifications for the draft and to the creation of a panel to consider further revisions once new legislative elections are held in December.”These amendments open new horizons and give everyone the chance to participate in the political process and in the building of the second Iraqi republic,” parliament speaker Hajim al-Hasani, a Sunni, told lawmakers.”Today is a day for national consensus,” added Iraq’s Kurdish President Jalal Talabani.The assembly gave its seal of approval to the modifications, which serve to reiterate the country’s unity and Arab character.A number of Sunni parties nonetheless remained hostile to the constitution, reflecting friction that has marked long and tortuous negotiations on the document.The constitution will be adopted if a simple majority of voters approve the text in Saturday’s referendum and if two thirds of voters in three or more provinces do not reject it.Sunnis, who were dominant under Saddam but have found themselves sidelined politically after largely boycotting landmark elections in January, make up about 20 percent of the 26 million population.They fear federal provisions in the draft could lead to the break-up of the country and leave control of the vast oil wealth in the hands of Shi’ites and Kurds.- Nampa-AFPLawmakers endorsed last-minute changes to the charter on Wednesday in a bid to ease bitter ethnic divisions ahead of the vote, while Sunni-backed insurgents struck again in attempts to disrupt the democratic process.Under the deal, Iraqi Shi’ite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders agreed to several new elements and modifications for the draft and to the creation of a panel to consider further revisions once new legislative elections are held in December.”These amendments open new horizons and give everyone the chance to participate in the political process and in the building of the second Iraqi republic,” parliament speaker Hajim al-Hasani, a Sunni, told lawmakers.”Today is a day for national consensus,” added Iraq’s Kurdish President Jalal Talabani.The assembly gave its seal of approval to the modifications, which serve to reiterate the country’s unity and Arab character.A number of Sunni parties nonetheless remained hostile to the constitution, reflecting friction that has marked long and tortuous negotiations on the document.The constitution will be adopted if a simple majority of voters approve the text in Saturday’s referendum and if two thirds of voters in three or more provinces do not reject it.Sunnis, who were dominant under Saddam but have found themselves sidelined politically after largely boycotting landmark elections in January, make up about 20 percent of the 26 million population.They fear federal provisions in the draft could lead to the break-up of the country and leave control of the vast oil wealth in the hands of Shi’ites and Kurds.- Nampa-AFP