KurdistanObserver.com

Muqtada Sadr Rejects Federalism For Southern Kurdistan BAGHDAD,(Reuters) Feb19, 2006- Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has said he rejects the Iraqi constitution backed by his partners in the biggest parliamentary bloc, threatening a new crisis over one of the country's most explosive issues. "I reject this constitution which calls for sectarianism and there is nothing good in this constitution at all," he told Al Jazeera television late on Saturday. Sadr criticised federalism in the constitution, which is rejected by Iraq's Sunni Arabs who fear it will give Kurds and Shi'ites too much power and control over Iraq's oil resources.

"If there is a democratic government in Iraq, nobody has the right to call for the establishment of federalism anywhere in Iraq whether it is the south, north, middle or any other part of Iraq," he said.

Sadr, a former rebel leader who staged two revolts against U.S. and Iraqi troops, has emerged as a kingmaker in Iraqi politics and is a member of the Shi'ite alliance which won 128 of 275 seats in parliament in December 15 polls.

His anti-constitution stand comes at a sensitive time when Iraqi politicians are only just starting formal talks on forming a new government more than two months after elections.

The Shi'ites, who will have a majority in the new assembly, have already insisted their can be no major changes to the charter, which was approved in October and envisages a federal Iraq with considerable autonomy for the regions.

Iraq's biggest Sunni political bloc has said it is committed to talks with Shi'ites and Kurds to form a government of national unity if its key demand on changing the constitution is met.

A review of the Iraqi constitution is set to start some time after the new government and parliament is formed.