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Iraqi Shiites Delay Constitution Signing

Five Shiite members of Iraq's governing council boycott a signing ceremony for the country's interim constitution. The Shiites want to change concessions made to Kurds and the proposed makeup of the presidency. An indefinite delay could prove embarrassing for U.S. authorities, who hailed the interim law as a milestone in Mideast democracy. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

Copyright 2004 NPR

Ivan Watson
Ivan Watson is currently based in Istanbul, Turkey. Following the 9-11 terrorist attacks, he has served as one of NPR's foreign "firemen," shuttling to and from hotspots around the Middle East and Central Asia.