Iraq: top UN envoy welcomes adoption of draft text of constitution

Welcoming the adoption of a draft text for the permanent constitution of Iraq by the Transitional National Assembly “as an important step,” the top United Nations envoy in the country today urged the Government to ensure the free expression of all points of view.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative Ashraf Qazi reiterated the UN’s commitment to assist the transitional process in Iraq in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

In a statement issued by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mr. Qazi urged the people of Iraq to participate in the referendum to exercise their democratic right of choice.

“He also urged the Iraq Government to ensure conditions that would enable all Iraqis to peacefully and securely advocate their point of view, and to participate in the referendum free from intimidation and violence,” the statement added.

He noted that the distribution of the draft text among the Iraqi people would enable them to make an informed choice on whether to accept or reject the document during the referendum scheduled for 15 October 2005.

Over the past months, Mr. Qazi has devoted much of his time to trying to ensure the participation of all elements in the country's political transition, particularly Sunni Arabs who largely stayed away from January's elections that chose the transitional assembly.

Sunni Arabs, who represent some 20 per cent of the population, were the dominant political force in Saddam Hussein's ousted regime. Shiites represent about 60 per cent and Sunni Kurds some 20 per cent. There are also other smaller communities such as Assyrians and Turkmen.