Conflict monitors call for postponement of "unrealistic" Iraq constitution deadline News
Conflict monitors call for postponement of "unrealistic" Iraq constitution deadline

[JURIST] Citing ongoing disagreements over process, the head of the International Crisis Group [advocacy site] conflict-monitoring organization called the initial August 15 deadline for the drafting of the permanent Iraqi constitution "unrealistic" in a Monday editorial in the Financial Times and suggested that the deadline be put off for the single six month period permitted in the country's interim constitution, the Transitional Administrative Law [text]. Last week the group released a report [PDF file; accompanying press release] on the process urging that it not be rushed. Sunnis are currently sticking [NYT report] to their demand of 25 seats [JURIST report] on the parliamentary drafting committee; so far the Shiite-dominated government has offered only 15 full seats and 10 non-voting advisory positions.