Iraqi assembly aims to please Sunnis

Date: 13/10/05

With days to go before Saturday's (15 October) vote on a constitution, the Iraqi national assembly has agreed on a new text which supporters hope will pave the way for a more inclusive political process.

It is hoped the revised document, which includes increased political incentives for Sunni Muslims, who are unhappy with what they see as a Shia and Kurdish dominated process, will boost Sunni support for the text.

President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, expressed hope that the deal marked "the beginning of a new kind of co-operation among all Iraqis".

New mechanisms for revising the text have been included, creating a commission that can examine amendments to the text after the planned December elections.

With the commission selection drawn from the new assembly, supporters hope the deal will also encourage Sunnis to participate in these elections.

The EU is to shift its relations with Iraq up a gear after the December vote, with negotiations on a co-operation agreement, boosting trade and development ties.

The agreement would establish a regular political dialogue with Iraq, cut barriers to trade and increase the EU's development assistance.

The EU has a rule of law mission in Iraq, which trains members of the police force, judiciary and prison forces on criminal investigations.

Article anticipates the referendum in Iraq on the country's draft constitution on 15 October 2005 and takes a brief look at the EU's plans to improve relations with the country.

EEAS: Iraq http://www.eeas.europa.eu/iraq/index_en.htm

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