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Role of Islam in new Iraq debated

While Sunni, Shiite, and Kurdish political leaders in Iraq have sought compromise on issues of national identity and federalism to meet the Aug. 15 deadline for the new constitution, there are indications that the majority Shiites may be hardening on one of the most contentious issues: the role of Islam in the government.

And while Iraq`s political leaders have expressed hope they would meet next week`s deadline, if the prime minister has accurately portrayed the views of Sistani (the quiet power behind every major decision made since the US-occupied Iraq), it`s likely to mean that the US hope of installing a secular, liberal democracy in Iraq is receding from view.

What this means for meeting the constitution deadline is unclear. While the gulf between Iraq`s leaders seems as wide as ever, if the deadline is missed, under current rules set in Iraq`s Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), the current parliament would be dissolved and the constitutional process set back to Square 1. But the one thing the major Iraqi factions agree on is that they won`t allow that to happen. Where a compromise might come from, however, is unclear. American and Iraqi officials have hinted that a sort of skeletal constitution might be agreed now, leaving hard choices on Islam and expanded territory for Iraqi Kurds until a later date.