U.S. Proposes Date for Iraqis to Start Planning for Self-Rule

[zimv20]

link (http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-UN-Iraq.html?hp)


A new U.S. draft resolution, obtained by The Associated Press on Monday, gives Iraq's Governing Council until Dec. 15 to develop a timetable for elections and a new constitution.

The draft resolution was given to other members of the U.N. Security Council over the weekend and the United States will seek a vote on it this week, diplomats said.

The draft is the latest version of a resolution seeking international troops and money to help the U.S.-led effort to rebuild Iraq. Earlier drafts came under criticism from some European nations seeking a stronger role for the United Nations in Iraq and a speedier timetable for handing over power to Iraqis.

According to the draft, the Governing Council must submit to the Security Council ``a timetable and a program for the drafting of a new constitution for Iraq and for the holding of democratic elections under the constitution'' by Dec. 15.

(more)


note that this is not a date by which iraq will self-rule, but rather a date by which the Iraq Governing Council must submit a plan.

still, i'm glad dates are being discussed.

[pseudobrit]

Maybe they'll extend the date until March 2004, after which the council we be foced to accept next Feb 29 as a time to start planning to start planning.

[Desertrat]

I guess a Constitution would be a Good Thing, if Iraqis think it's really necessary.

Joseph Sobran has a bit of a different view:


"September 30, 2003

The U.S. occupation of Iraq is getting seriously weird. The U.S. Government has served notice that the occupation won’t end until the Iraqis come up with a constitution, and Secretary of State Colin Powell thinks six months is a reasonable deadline. The Iraqis appointed to do the job say they’ll need at least a year.

A year? The U.S. Constitution was banged out in a couple of months in the summer of 1787. Of course conditions were somewhat different. The delegates to our Philadelphia convention were sent by the 13 states, not chosen by a foreign power, and they had plenty of experience to guide their steps.

It’s a little odd for an invading force to impose “self-government” on a conquered people. Self-government usually occurs when there are no foreigners specifying how it’s to be done."

Full article at
http://www.sobran.com/columns/2003/030930.shtml

'Rat