Cablegate: Media Reaction: Iraqi Government, Constitution;

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003659

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ, INR/P

E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO IZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI GOVERNMENT, CONSTITUTION;
BAGHDAD

SUMMARY: Discussion on the Constitution was the major
editorial theme of the daily newspapers on September 6,
2005. END SUMMARY.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
------------------------------

A. "In Response to the Statements by the Secretary General
of the Arab League" (Al-Adala, 9/6)
B. "The Constitution and the Last Chance" (Al-Fourat, 9/6)
C. "About Constitutional Education" (Al-Sabah al-Jadeed,
9/6)
D. "How to Promote Science in the Draft Constitution" (Al-
Sabah, 9/6)

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SELECTED COMMENTARIES
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A. "In Response to the Statements by the Secretary General
of the Arab League"
(Al-Adala, affiliated with SCIRI, published a page-four
column by Dr. Raghad Ali about the Arab world's concerns
over the Iraqi constitution)

"The media is rife with reports of the Arab League Secretary
General's, Amr Musa, concerns over the Iraqi constitution
article that states Arabs in Iraq are part of the Arab
nation. In fact, the Arab League has the right to its
opinion concerning Iraq because Iraq is a founding member of
the Arab League. Amr Musa opposes that article perhaps
because he wants to utter his own point of view. However, we
are surprised to see the Arab League suddenly show concern
over Iraqi affairs. The Arab League should have apologized
to the Iraqi people because its attitudes toward them have
been disappointing.

"The Arab League should have, at the very least, condemned
what is happening in Iraq rather than insisting on Arabism.
Arabism is no more than a hollow word in Arab constitutions.
That Arabism has paid no attention to Saddam's crimes and
the current terror in Iraq. The Arab League has not
condemned terrorist attacks that have killed innocent Iraqis
while at the same time it has kept sending condemnations
over the killing of Palestinians. Does the Arab League
regard other Arab children as innocent while Iraqi children
as traitors? I do not know why the Arab League does not show
its readiness to assist Iraq in its current disastrous
conditions; the Arab League should help us because we are
brothers in Arabism. But I think that we are brothers, at
least in theory, because Arab leaders care about bombastic
slogans and words. History reveals that the Arabism Amr Musa
wants for Iraq is the same Arabism that supports all types
of tyranny and represents the terror of the former regime.
In addition, it is the same Arabism that is represented in
Arab media outlets, distorts facts, publicly provokes
sectarianism, and labels terrorism `true resistance.'"

B. "The Constitution and the Last Chance"
(Al-Fourat, independent, anti coalition, published a page-
two editorial by Majed Fadhel Al-Zaboon on the Iraqi
constitution)

"I think that there is enough time to work out the
disagreements among political parties. We can reach a
solution to the crisis (between those who accept the draft
constitution and those who reject it) so that they can
negotiate and come to a consensus which can be unanimously
accepted by the majority in the upcoming referendum. It is
very important to reach agreement lest we begin again from
zero. The approval of the draft constitution by a minority
will create new obstacles in the political process and that
is why we should work hard to unify. We must make use of the
next few days and weeks to make the political and
constitutional process successful so it's approved by the
overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people."

C. "About Constitutional Education"
(Ismaeel Zayyer wrote this front-page editorial in the
independent Al-Sabah al-Jadeed)

"Recently, we started hearing political experts say that the
Iraqi people do not understand anything about the
constitution they'll vote on in the upcoming referendum.
Their evidence is either slick or represents their ignorance
and tendency to generalize. Moreover, if there were evidence
countering theirs they would use techniques and linguistic
maneuvers to avoid embarrassment. If we examine the
educational process for the Iraqi people we can conclude
that there are daily programs on satellite TV channels that
deal with the constitution as well as discussions, symposia,
workshops and detailed written information chronicled in
print.

"Some newspapers allocate one or two pages just for the
constitution and one can easily see the posters and
billboards that deal with the constitution, explain it, or
urge people to participate in the voting . We might need to
thank the United Nations for their efforts in disseminating
the constitution's principles to the people and also the
Supreme Independent Committee. Actually, there are some
people who only want us to see the negative so we need to
make clear our calls to our people and encourage them to
become more aware of allegations in the media. The
frightening thing is that negative campaigning may end up
forcing people to boycott the election."

D. "How to Promote Science in the Draft Constitution"
(Sarhan Mehna wrote this editorial, on page 25, for the pro-
coalition Al-Sabah)

"It is essential for any constitution to be based on science
as well as societal norms, history, religion, economic
resources and the potential of humanity.

"It is quite clear in the draft constitution that a
referendum is set for October 15th. Article 35 deals mostly
with science and specifically science education, while the
third section holds the government responsible by asserting,
`Scientific research is encouraged for peaceful purposes to
serve humanity, embrace creativity, evolution and all
aspects of aptitude.' This implies a huge responsibility to
promote the, dilapidated, state of education in our country.

"The expression `scientific research is encouraged for
peaceful purposes' would never enable Iraq to make any
traditional weapons to defend its borders. It will be forced
to be armed completely with foreign weapons despite the
capabilities of scientists who have studied, trained, and
produced a lot of traditional weapons that are not banned
internationally. This constitutional article might limit a
lot of useful scientific research in the future, under the
pretext of dual usage, as was the case in Saddam's time when
some materials were banned while the country was under
embargo.

"The expression `to serve humanity' in the same article
would give us the chance to conclude that scientific
research in Iraq would be limited and would contribute to
helping foreigners before helping the people of this country
first. Therefore the first part of article three should be
formulated as follows: `The country encourages scientific
research for peaceful and conventional defensive purposes
that are not banned internationally and in a manner that
will promote Iraq and serve humanity.'

"The last part of the article will ensure benefit from past
research. A lot of time and money were spent in Saddam's era
and just because he dominated people doesn't mean we should
have to sacrifice our expertise through a draft constitution
that is difficult to change. The first responsibility of
government is to organize and establish disciplined rules
about education across the spectrum; it's actually no
development without knowledge and no knowledge without
education."
Khalilzad

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