They don’t like the idea of Iraq being described as federal, they prefer united, but I don’t think they are going to get that.

When he promises something, he’ll get it done. If he can’t do it, he won’t promise it.

The problem is that they started discussing the most difficult issue.

There are intense talks going on. They are trying very hard to see if they can make last-minute changes for the Sunni Arabs.

Someone should have said something. The other side is talking, and the American side is silent. To be silent here means you are on the weak side.

whether Islam will be the main source or a source of legislation in the constitution.

The political blocs agreed to postpone today’s parliament session at the request of the Shiite alliance until Saturday afternoon.

The Americans say they don’t intervene, but they have intervened deep.

Really, we are disappointed with that. It seems like the Americans want to have a constitution at any cost,

We are not yet in a civil war. But if the ongoing violence is not contained, it will turn into an Iraqi-Iraqi war.

This is the first time that I have heard politicians say they are worried about the outbreak of civil war.

Being a Muslim, he understands what Islam means, and Islam is very important in Iraq right now. And being an Easterner he understands our traditions.

If the position of the Shiite alliance is final, then things will be more complicated and the formation of the government might face delays.

It’s unfair and I didn’t vote for it. It’s a double standard and it shouldn’t have happened.

Any day that passes, we lose a day of work.

We don’t want to violate the constitution before our first meeting.

When it’s in your favor, you say ‘voters.’ When it’s not in your favor you say ‘eligible voters.’

Everyone is nervous. The security situation is not good. There are so many explosions at the checkpoints and near the convoys. The Americans are afraid. And when the driver doesn’t see them, it happens sometimes...

The (committee) members will study and discuss the names, make their choices and then present them to the heads of the blocs either tonight or tomorrow.

The visit to Turkey showed that he makes decision without consulting anybody, like during the last Cabinet. That has ignited a new dissatisfaction.

[Sunni approval of the constitution would have] created a big movement against the terrorists, … It is a good document. What worries us is our Sunni Arab friends.

Without any doubt, there is American pressure on everybody. The U.S. wants to reach a solution and finalize an agreement, and they say that the date of Aug. 15 is sacred.

Violence has its fingerprints on everything. It’s affecting everything and every activity.

We should not be with one side or the other, but somewhere in the middle.

We call on you all to take part in the elections, … We don’t want federalism.

We’re short of time it’s the fault of the Americans. They are always insisting on short deadlines. It’s as if they’re [making] hamburgers and fast food.

We have seen in recent weeks a security crisis, then a political crisis. This would mean we would now have a constitutional crisis.

Sometimes it seems it is even more important to them that we get a deal. They are concerned, and very active, … If there’s no success, it affects them as well. I think they are...

Americans are working very hard to work out something.

It is very important to clarify – an investigation could help defuse tension.

but the question is, would this draft satisfy the Sunni Arabs’ demands.

If we’d had more time, it would have been possible to get Sunni participation. When Oct. 15 comes, many won’t even have seen the constitution.

It would be more appropriate if they would leave us alone. Let us solve our problems by ourselves.

The cancellation of this meeting is a regrettable thing because such meetings are essential under the current situation.

The nation’s political parties supported the decision to delay the session until all parties agree on all the nominees for the key posts.

These are all negative signs that tarnish the picture of the trial and thus affect the credibility of the court and the confidence of the public in it.

If concessions are made to the Sunnis to make additions to the constitution, then the other parties want a guarantee from the Sunnis that they will vote back the constitution at the referendum. But there...

They are divided and that is the reason why they are not able to reach a quick decision on the candidate.

I think it’s a double standard, and it’s unfair.

There was not enough time to reach an agreement.

I am happy about this decision because I want this to be done democratically, even though we support the constitution.

Yes, probably some words will be changed here and there, and this issue is under discussion, especially the Iraqi identity. We are discussing this article aiming at achieving an aspiration of the Arab League as...

(Friday) they were fighting each other. Until noon (Saturday) there were no improvements but suddenly after Bush called them, they all went to the meeting. There is strong American pressure because they are very much...

It’s a good step forward, and we will cooperate with him. I don’t think he’s a strong sectarian. Now he’s a prime minister, and he has to rule all Iraq, he has to be balanced...

I expect that there still will be difficulties over choosing the prime minister.

We have nothing against this choice and we are very happy that finally they have changed their candidate. This change will help the political process and very much help the formation of the new government.

You could say they’ve come halfway.

I can’t predict a timetable for forming the government. All these important points need thorough study. If they can’t reach an agreement, then there will be a problem.

From the very beginning, we said that if the constitution committee wants to have a draft that all would agree on, it would be impossible by Aug. 15, … The Sunnis haven’t agreed on some...

He cannot make a successful prime minister. We experienced … a year in which he was not capable of addressing the issues of Iraq. Why should we repeat this failure?