Iraq constitution talks 'progress'

A Shiite negotiator today reported progress in talks with Iraq’s Sunni Arabs and Kurds on the new constitution but said problems remained on the proposal to ban members of Saddam Hussein’s Baath party from public life.

But a Sunni Arab negotiator said the Sunnis were still studying the proposal and “may” respond tomorrow.

Shiite negotiator Jawad al-Maliki said the issue of Saddam’s party, known in Iraq as “de-Baathification”, was especially difficult because it was something “we cannot drop”.

“We will not be easy with this point at all,” al-Maliki said. He added that the Sunnis were being tough in defending the rights of former Baath party members and “it is regrettable to us that the Sunnis and the Baath are in the same pot”.

He said on federalism, there had been progress after Shiites guaranteed that the parliament to be elected in December would take up the issue first.

Sunni negotiator Kamal Hamdoun said he and his Sunni colleagues were “studying the suggestions that we received”.

Asked when they would respond, he said: “Maybe tomorrow” and refused to say more.

The proposed constitution bans Saddam’s party and “its symbols” and grants legal status to a committee responsible for purging Baath members from government and public life. Sunnis dominated party ranks.