Ban Ki-moon urges compromise on Iraq’s Constitution

United Nations Secretary-General today urged Iraqi leaders to compromise on the Constitution in the interests of the country as a whole.

As Iraq’s Constitutional Review Committee prepares to submit the results of its deliberations to the full parliament, Mr. Ban’s spokesperson issued a statement emphasizing the importance of the process to achieve national reconciliation in Iraq.

Core issues dealt with by the Committee lie at the heart of how Iraq’s system will function, involving a balanced division of powers between the federal government and the regions as well as a system for the fair distribution of oil revenues throughout the country.

“Striking a compromise on the core constitutional issues at the heart of Iraq’s system of governance is essential for establishing stability in the country,” Michele Montas told reporters in New York.

“The Secretary-General hopes that Iraqi leaders will embrace this opportunity by rising above narrow sectarian interests, remaining open to compromise, and fostering consensus,” she said, pledging the UN’s full commitment to a national dialogue towards a Constitution than can be supported by all Iraqis.

The statement also lauded the Committee for carrying out its work “responsibly in an atmosphere of mutual respect.”

On Monday, Mr. Ban’s top envoy to Iraq also called for compromise on the Constitution.

In the absence of a conclusion, Special Representative Ashraf Qazi warned that “the review process has the potential to be extremely divisive exercise.”

The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said the process offers an opportunity to address the real gaps and problems in the current constitutional text, and that improving the system of governance would be beneficial to all.