** The constitutional process culminating in Saturday's referendum is not a sign of Iraqi sovereignty and democracy taking hold, but rather a consolidation of U.S. influence and control. Whether Iraq's draft constitution is approved or rejected, the decision is likely to make the current situation worse.

** The ratification process reflects U.S., not Iraqi urgency, and is resulting in a vote in which most Iraqis have not even seen the draft, and amendments are being reopened and negotiated by political parties and elites in Baghdad as late as four days before the planned referendum.

** The proposed constitution would strip Iraqis of future control over their nation's oil wealth by opening all new oil exploration and production to foreign oil companies.

** The imposition of federalism as defined in the draft constitution undermines Iraqi national consciousness and sets the stage for a potential division of Iraq largely along ethnic and religious lines, with financial, military, and political power devolving from the central government to the regional authorities. All groups risk sectoral as well as national interests.

** Human rights, including women's rights, individual political and civil rights, economic and social rights, religious rights, minority rights, all remain at risk.

** Instead of balancing the interests of Iraq's diverse population by referencing its long- dominant secular approaches, the draft constitution reflects, privileges and makes permanent the current occupation-fueled turn towards Islamic identity.

etc

 http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=15&ItemID=8925

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An earlier version with bits to do with using iraq oil money for the public good was removed...the current constitution reflects US interests. Its a complete fraud.

According to the Geneva Conventions, it is illegal for the foreign aggressor to meddle in the domestic affairs of the country they've occupied.

Not that these criminal LIARS care about International Law, but the media, if it worked in the interests of its viewers, and not as a willing partner, should be pointing this out. Instead, they dole out propaganda dutifully ...

Plus, the fact that the Puppet Regime imposed and bribed by the occupiers has absolutely no power outside the so-called "Green Zone". The Resistance controls the rest of the country.

Quote : "According to the Geneva Conventions, it is illegal for the foreign aggressor to meddle in the domestic affairs of the country they've occupied."

Like Nazi Germany you mean after World War II? People didn't complain then about foreign powers meddling in the affairs of a country they had occuppied. By the way on the subject of illegality what about the insurgents who you support? They are murdering, yes murdering fellow Iraqis and coalition troops? Murder is illegal, the most illegal crime there is, yet you are quite happy for these evil thugs to carry out mass murder and mayhem in their attempt to try to destroy any chance of a democratic future for Iraq. You are also so blinded by your hatred for Britain and America that you fail to see all the progress being made in Iraq. One thing is for sure, by the time America and Britain leave Iraq it will be a better place than it has ever been in its entire history. That may take some time, but it will happen.