Posted on 08/14/2005 5:18:40 PM PDT by mdittmar
Iraq's parliamentary speaker summoned lawmakers on Sunday to a special meeting of the National Assembly at 6 p.m. (1400 GMT) on Monday.
Members of the committee drafting a constitution said the meeting would give parliament its first opportunity to review a text of the new charter, which they said would be ready on time for the Aug. 15 deadline set a year ago.
The National Assembly issued a statement announcing Monday's unusual evening session, giving no other details.
"At this meeting, the draft constitution is expected to be delivered," Nasser al-Awadi, a Sunni Arab member of the constitutional drafting committee, told Reuters.
Bahaa al-Araji, a leading Shi'ite member of the committee, also said the constitution would be ready to be presented to parliament by Monday's deadline, although negotiations chaired by President Jalal Talabani were still going on on Sunday.
The main sticking point has been arguments over the extent of regional autonomy, particularly for Kurds and Shi'ites.
The dems said it couldnt be done. Guess what, it looks like it is.
I cannot wait to see Iraq exercise their new freedoms and put their democracy into action. Ever life at that point will be worth it.
With any luck, this will seal the victory. Then we can bring our troops home.
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