Bush administration had hoped for on-time Iraq constitution [View All]

http://www.fox23news.com/news/national/story.aspx?content_id=22E0CF84-3E3B-40D9-8EDA-EC841E833388

Bush administration had hoped for on-time Iraq constitution

WASHINGTON (AP) - Even before Iraqi politicians extended the deadline to complete a draft constitution, the Bush administration was trying to lower expectations. Said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack: "You don't always get it right the first time around."

A compromise document that emerged from overtime negotiations in Baghdad put off key issues that the United States wanted to see resolved clearly and quickly. Iraq's parliament agreed to a seven-day extension after politicians failed to meet a midnight Monday deadline for agreement on the charter.

The drafters had reached a tentative deal, resolving issues like oil revenues and the country's name but putting off decisions on the most contentious questions - federalism, women's rights, the role of Islam and possible Kurdish autonomy.

An agreement to defer some of the tougher issues had seemed likely for days, and the Bush administration sought to put the best face on it.