Initial results suggest Iraqi Constitution approved
Discussion
Some good news at last
Telegraph article below
Iraqis defy the insurgents and vote for new constitution
By Oliver Poole in Baghdad and Francis Harris in Washington
(Filed: 17/10/2005)
Iraq appeared to have avoided a major political crisis last night, as early predictions suggested that voters had endorsed the new constitution.
Polling day on Saturday was, by Iraqi standards, peaceful and unlike last January, Sunnis went to vote. Indeed early reports indicated that in the four main Sunni provinces turn-out was 66 per cent, the highest in the country.
Soldiers guard boxes of votes, early returns suggest that 16 Iraqi provinces will back the constitution
As preliminary results were leaked throughout the day by election officials and US military officers, it appeared that two Sunni provinces had mustered a two-thirds majority for the No vote.
But the constitution was approved in the other two provinces where Sunni populations are largest.
Under the rules of the vote it has to gain a majority of support nationwide - a near certainty because of the backing of Shia and Kurdish voters who make up 75 per cent of the population.
But it would not survive if defeated in three of Iraq's 18 provinces. However it seems certain that only two provinces will vote No.
Minutes after polling stations closed exuberant Shias took to the streets in eastern Baghdad firing guns into the air and chanting "Our constitution has been approved. Down with the Ba'athists".
Despite the generally lower level of violence, six American soldiers died on polling day and violence flared in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, where doctors reported that 25 people had been killed when US aircraft bombed the town.
America called the vote a triumph for democracy and a serious setback for the insurgency. Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, was criticised for predicting a Yes vote and later toned down her comments, saying that it was too early to forecast the outcome.
Miss Rice met Tony Blair at Chequers yesterday.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "They were greatly encouraged by the level of participation in the referendum and look forward to the political process continuing through to elections in December, and beyond.
"They also discussed issues relating to the improvement in the security situation."
Speaking on American television after meeting Mr Blair, Miss Rice said: "You stop an insurgency not just militarily, but with a political process."
That now involved the discontented Sunni population from which the insurgency drew its greatest strength.
"Sunnis are now involved in the political process," she said. "The political base is broadened."
But the Sunni failure to block the constitution may generate considerable anger and increased support for insurgents.
The first official results are not expected until Thursday, but early returns made public by Iraqi officials showed that 16 provinces were likely to back the constitution.
Telegraph article below
Iraqis defy the insurgents and vote for new constitution
By Oliver Poole in Baghdad and Francis Harris in Washington
(Filed: 17/10/2005)
Iraq appeared to have avoided a major political crisis last night, as early predictions suggested that voters had endorsed the new constitution.
Polling day on Saturday was, by Iraqi standards, peaceful and unlike last January, Sunnis went to vote. Indeed early reports indicated that in the four main Sunni provinces turn-out was 66 per cent, the highest in the country.
Soldiers guard boxes of votes, early returns suggest that 16 Iraqi provinces will back the constitution
As preliminary results were leaked throughout the day by election officials and US military officers, it appeared that two Sunni provinces had mustered a two-thirds majority for the No vote.
But the constitution was approved in the other two provinces where Sunni populations are largest.
Under the rules of the vote it has to gain a majority of support nationwide - a near certainty because of the backing of Shia and Kurdish voters who make up 75 per cent of the population.
But it would not survive if defeated in three of Iraq's 18 provinces. However it seems certain that only two provinces will vote No.
Minutes after polling stations closed exuberant Shias took to the streets in eastern Baghdad firing guns into the air and chanting "Our constitution has been approved. Down with the Ba'athists".
Despite the generally lower level of violence, six American soldiers died on polling day and violence flared in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, where doctors reported that 25 people had been killed when US aircraft bombed the town.
America called the vote a triumph for democracy and a serious setback for the insurgency. Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, was criticised for predicting a Yes vote and later toned down her comments, saying that it was too early to forecast the outcome.
Miss Rice met Tony Blair at Chequers yesterday.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "They were greatly encouraged by the level of participation in the referendum and look forward to the political process continuing through to elections in December, and beyond.
"They also discussed issues relating to the improvement in the security situation."
Speaking on American television after meeting Mr Blair, Miss Rice said: "You stop an insurgency not just militarily, but with a political process."
That now involved the discontented Sunni population from which the insurgency drew its greatest strength.
"Sunnis are now involved in the political process," she said. "The political base is broadened."
But the Sunni failure to block the constitution may generate considerable anger and increased support for insurgents.
The first official results are not expected until Thursday, but early returns made public by Iraqi officials showed that 16 provinces were likely to back the constitution.
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