Sunnis call new Iraqi constitution a 'betrayal'

Iraq's new constitution, supposedly the blueprint for a democratic future, is threatening to plunge the country into a brutal civil war.

As Shiites and Kurds presented the draft to the National Assembly, Sunnis bitterly opposed to its federal structure talked of "betrayal" and warned of a violent backlash.

The constitution is the principal plank of President George W. Bush's exit strategy from the Iraq conflict, which has made his popularity among American voters plummet.

US diplomats, led by the ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, had been frantically lobbying for it to be adopted before yesterday's deadline. But far from sealing Iraq's post-Saddam era, the draft appeared to be fast fracturing the fledgling edifice of government, with Shiite and Kurdish parties declaring they were prepared to use their parliamentary majority to push through the document despite Sunni opposition.

The Sunni reaction was immediate, with politicians queuing to denounce the move and warning of a cataclysmic reaction. Soha Allawi, one of the leading negotiators, declared: "We will not be silent. We will campaign for public awareness to tell Sunnis and Shias to reject the constitution, which will lead to the break-up of Iraq and civil war."

Another Sunni delegate, Hussein Shukur al-Fallu, said: "If they pass this constitution, then the rebellion will reach its peak."

Sunni leaders said the text had dropped wording that forbade secession from Iraq; Kurdish parties maintained they do not want to break away entirely but want to keep the option open.

Some militant Shiites, are also opposed to federalism and yesterday renewed their call for "Iraqi unity". In a further sign of growing polarisation, several minority groups also said guarantees made about their roles had been changed in the draft.

The tribal umbrella group said it would now boycott the process.

Mohaim Ased Abdul, the chairman of the Assembly of Minorities, said his group would oppose it.

Yonadem Kanna, a representative of Iraq's dwindling Christian community, said he expected Sunni leaders to start mobilising their supporters against the constitution. "Tomorrow on the street, they will move against the constitution, that we can say for sure."

There was also fierce controversy over the role of Islam in the future administration, with the main Shiite party insisting it should be the main source of legislation and women's groups warning that it will lead to the denial of female rights.

The most contentious issue in the draft document was federalism, which the majority Shiite and Kurdish factions are determined to make central to government.

The Sunnis are convinced this is a pretext for the Shiites and Kurds carving out the oil-rich regions in the north and south of the country.

Jalaaldin al-Saghir, a chief Shiite negotiator, said Shiites and Kurds had agreed that no laws would contradict the principles of Islam.

"In addition, no law shall contradict human rights and democratic principles," he said.

- INDEPENDENT