Iraqi leaders making efforts to finish a constitution Saturday reported tentative agreements on distribution of oil wealth and other issues, but there was no deal on the main issue - federalism.
President Jalal Talabani predicted the constitution would be submitted to the National Assembly on Sunday - one day before the deadline for parliamentary approval.
But some committee members said serious rifts remained among the Shiite , Sunni and Kurdish leaders, mainly on the question of whether Iraq should be transformed into a federated system of government. According to The AP, Sunnis fear such a move could lead to the breakup of the country.
Talabani acknowledged talks continued. "The meetings are still going on and we have gone forward," he told reporters Saturday. "There is a meeting today and another meeting tomorrow and, God willing, we will finish the job tomorrow."
Talabani said negotiators were mainly on the question of a federated state comprising Shiite areas of central and southern Iraq, as well as the role of Islam in laws.
On his part, US President George Bush, facing a low rate approval over his Iraq policy, on Saturday praised the Iraqi leaders resolve to complete the work of the constitution.
"Despite the acts of violence by the enemies of freedom, Iraq's elected leaders are now finishing work on a democratic constitution. "Later this year, that constitution will be put before the Iraqi people for their approval. The establishment of a democratic constitution is a critical step on the path to Iraqi self-reliance," Bush said in a weekly radio address.
