Democracy in Iraq

Democracy in Iraq - Editorial: Democracy in Iraq - 2004-03-12. What you read here is the official opinion of the U.S. government. The interim constitution of Iraq is a victory for the people of Iraq. President George W. Bush states: This document is an important step towards establishing a sovereign and powerful government by June 30, laying the foundation for democratic elections and the drafting of a new constitution that will be carried out by an elected Iraqi parliament and ratified by the people of Iraq. The constitution will protect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, the organization of political parties, voting in fair elections, and worship and prayer, based on the understanding and awareness of each individual. This law will also guarantee the right to a speedy, fair, and public trial. No Iraqi will ever again have to fear the midnight knock of the secret police. The interim constitution was adopted after heated and lively debates, following a compromise among the Shiite members of the Iraqi Governing Council. The contentious issue was a clause stating that the permanent constitution would not take effect if a two-thirds majority in any of the three northern provinces of Iraq voted against it. The Kurds reside in these three northern provinces. Abd al-Abed Mahdi, a leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, stated that the Shiites signed the constitution in the name of national unity. Masoud Barzani, a Kurdish member of the Governing Council, said the interim constitution would strengthen Iraq's unity in a way that has never been seen before. For the first time, we Kurds feel like citizens of Iraq. Ahmad al-Rubi wrote in Asharq Al-Awsat that Iraq's enemies rejoiced at the disagreements among the members of the Governing Council, but their joy was short-lived as they saw the Shiites prioritize Iraq's national interests as a nation in a balanced and reasonable manner, and in response to similar actions by the Kurds, they deemed national unity superior to their concerns and considerations. Paul Bremer, head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, described the discussion about the interim constitution of Iraq as an example of active democracy.