Iraqis draft compromise plans on polls; US may veto Islamic law

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Iraq's Ayatullah Ali As-Sistani has drawn up compromise proposals on elections, and the top US overseer in Iraq suggested Monday he would block any interim constitution that would make Islam the chief source of law.

The Marjaiya has established a series of alternatives as it awaits the findings of a UN mission tapped to render a verdict on whether polls are possible before the US-led occupation ends on June 30.

Speaking to AFP, Ayatullah As-Sistani’s representative Sheikh Abdel Mahdi Al-Karbalai said the alternative proposals cannot be unveiled now “since we are awaiting an answer from the United Nations.”

During visit on Monday to the holy city of Karbala, Bremer said the current draft of the constitution would make Islam the state religion of Iraq and “a source of inspiration for the law” — as opposed to the main source.

Asked what would happen if Iraqi leaders wrote into the constitution that Islamic sharia law is the principal basis of the law, Bremer suggested he would wield his veto. “Our position is clear. It can't be law until I sign it,” he said.

Bremer must sign into law all measures passed by the 25-member council, including the interim constitution.

Meanwhile, US lawmakers have urged the White House to prevent Islamic restrictions on Iraqi women.

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