Determine Elements for a New Iraqi Constitution

Overview: Iraq's new governing council is promising to represent the "national will" of all Iraqis. The statement comes as the group addresses the need for increased security in its country, and as the U.S. troops who are currently providing much of Iraq's security face the possibility of having to stay in the Gulf nation for months longer than they expected.

After students read, "Security issues plague Iraq and threaten homesick U.S. troops" present the following questions and activities:

RESOURCES • Holt, Rinehart and Winston: Operation Iraqi Freedom  • Holt Researcher  • Holt, Rinehart and Winston: American Government  • The National Archives  • CIA: Factbook  • Country Profile:Iraq  • ICL: International Constitutions  • CNN.com: Special - The New Iraq

1. What group met together in Iraq on July 13th? Who comprises the group? What is Iraq's new governing council promising to represent? What is the function of the council? What was one of its first acts? Why did the council choose April 9th as a new national holiday? What plans does the council have for the future? How does one council member, Adnan Pachachi, propose to improve security in the nation?

2. Why is the Iraqi governing council sending a delegation to the United Nations? Who is Kofi Annan? What does he say about reconstruction efforts in Iraq? Why do you think the international community might have mixed feelings about supporting the reconstruction of Iraq?

3. Why are some Iraqis skeptical about their new government? What is an exile? What are some of the arguments against having council members who are former exiles? What reason is given for the overthrow of the country's monarchy 45 years ago?

4. Who is currently in charge of security in Iraq? What are some of the current issues facing U.S. military personnel in Iraq? What does Maj. Gen. Buford Blount say should be the goal of the troops?

5. Remind students that Iraq's government council will work to establish a new constitutionfor the country. Direct students to the National Archives at http://www.archives.gov/ to read the U.S. Constitution if they are unfamiliar with its content Generate a class discussion outlining the major principles of the U.S. Constitution. Tell students to keep these principles in mind as points of reference in this learning activity.

Next, group students and assign each group one of the following countries: Japan, Germany, Russia, India, South Korea, and Zimbabwe. Direct groups to the Web sites provided and other sources to read their assigned country's constitution and gather general historical information about its implementation. Ask each group to outline the major principles included in its country's constitution and to compare this outline with the one created by the class for the U.S. Constitution. Have each group share its findings and discuss. Then, as a class, craft a framework of principles and elements that students think should be incorporated into a new Iraqi Constitution. Once the class has completed this framework, ask: What stumbling blocks did the class encounter as we tried to create a framework for Iraq's new constitution? What differences of opinion might we have encountered if we had addressed specifics, like specific rights and responsibilities? What difficulties do you think representatives of the Iraqi people will encounter as they craft a constitution for Iraq?