Sunnis Pressured to OK Iraq Constitution

BAGHDAD, Iraq - American and U.N. diplomats stepped up pressure Saturday on Sunni Arabs to accept a new constitution with only two days before the deadline for its approval. A top Sunni official said his group would never accept terms that would lead to the division of the country.

President Jalal Talabani predicted a draft constitution will be ready by Monday's deadline, and a Kurdish official said the draft would be presented to parliament with or without Sunni approval.

With time running out, U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and U.N. envoy Ashraf Qazi met separately with Sunni leaders but failed to persuade them to accept a federal system.

"We will not be subdued and will continue to cling to our stance," Sunni negotiator Kamal Hamdoun said. "We don't accept federalism ... We don't want federalism. We are confident that federalism means division and federalism cannot be approved at this time."

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I think their minds are made up.

Freedom has to be earned in order to be recognized for what it is and to be appreciated. it can't be forced. Yes, we received foreign aid during our war for independence. but we made the attempt to fight. we rose up against the crown.

This venture is doomed for failure.