Shi146;ite objections delay interim Iraqi statute

One major point of contention was a clause on a referendum due to be held next year to approve a permanent Constitution once it has been drawn up. The clause states that even if a majority of Iraqis approves the Constitution, it can be vetoed if two-thirds of voters in three provinces reject it. 8216;8216;At the last minute, the very last minute, there was a switch by the Shi8217;ites and they objected strongly to a clause which says that if three provinces don8217;t agree on the Constitution then it goes back to Parliament,8217;8217; Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish member of the Council, said.

8216;8216;They consider that a provocation and the imposition of the will of the minority on the majority.8217;8217; 8212;Reuters