Iraq's constitution crisis throws question mark over US power transfer

A carefully arranged signing ceremony at Saddam Hussein's former conference hall flopped on Friday after five Shia Muslim members of the US-picked Governing Council refused to attend because they disagreed with a clause in the basic law that gave what they felt to be unfair power to the Kurdish north.

The spoilers also wanted a greater presence in Iraq's next executive and indicated concern about Kurdish becoming an official state language, a source close to the negotiations told AFP.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

Their objections came after consultations with the religious community's spiritual guide, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the source said.

The unexpected back-track on what had been a done deal caught everyone by surprise and exposed deep rifts between the council that could consign the whole document to the history books, the sources said.

"They asked to have two days to go away and discuss the matter and then hopefully they will return on Monday and we will be able to get on with the signing ceremony," said Hatem al-Hassani, a deputy to Sunni Muslim council member Musin Abdul Hameed.

Asked what the consequences would be if the 25-member council failed to approve the text, Hassani said, "Then we would have a very big problem.

"This would send a very damaging message to the people of Iraq and to the rest of the world."

The constitution had been hailed by council members and US overseer in Iraq Paul Bremer as one of the most progressive in the Middle East, laying the foundations for direct elections before the end of January 2005.

Failure to pass it into law could prolong the US-led coalition's occupation of the country.

"I think it would be very damaging," said Mahmud Othman, a Kurdish council member, when asked what would happen if the council did not give its approval.

"We would have to re-discuss the whole thing all over again," he said.

"If there is no signing of this document it could even affect the June 30 transfer of sovereignty."

Senior coalition spokesman Dan Senor remained confident the power transfer would take place as planned. But he had also expected a signing ceremony Friday.

Difficulties bridging differences over thorny issues such as the role of Islam and female representation in a new Iraqi parliament had already forced the council to miss a Saturday deadline to complete the basic law.