Iraq: Constitution writing: While US soldier is elected by Iraqis a sheikh, deadline for Constitution spreads jitters

For a real human-interest story out of the War in Iraq, click the blog entry headline above. It'll put a smile on your face, as it says a lot more about what's going on in that country than the usual repoirting seems to be much aware, American soldier becomes Iraqi sheikh, by Antonio Castaneda, Associated Press via Washington Times, August 1, 2005.

Then there's the more controverted stuff. I'll stick to a question out of Iraq that doesn't have to do directly with anyone getting bombed or dieing, but does embrace a whole host of knotty issues for the country's future.

One report today says "Yes," the draft Constitution will be ready by deadline August 15. Iraq Constitution to be drafted by deadline, AP via Fox News Channel, August 1, 2005.

But the Yes report arrived a couple of hours after I had received the that says No, It Won't - or, It May Not. Iraq constitution may be delayed, by Dan Murray, Christian Science Monitor, August 1, 2005. Women's rights are said to be a losngi issue with just enuff clout againt the Shi'ite mainline to cause a delay.

Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish member of the drafting committee, said that a formal request for more time would be submitted to the transitional legislature Monday, something that was confirmed by other members of the legislature. Mr. Othman said disputes over how much power to devolve to Iraq's Kurds and the role of sharia, or Islamic law, have been the main sticking points.

Under current rules, Monday is the last day that the parliament can ask for a delay on the original Aug. 15 deadline for writing the constitution. "Maybe Aug. 15 is still possible, but we can't say for certain,'' says Othman.

A lot is piled on this particular deadline. The next one comes, I think, in mid-October if the draft is approved by the Parliament and is submitted to the Iraqi electorate in a Referendum for that purpose. If the voters say Yes, the Constiution is adopted, and an election campaign begins - to bring in a new Parliament under what then would be Iraq's own legally-adopted Constitution. Then in December comes the vote for the membership of the new Parliament itself. And then when the vote is counted, the new members meet and choose their new government, again probably a coalition of parties. - Politicarp