November 24, 2003	Monday	Ramazan 28, 1424

BAGHDAD, Nov 23: US civil administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer has launched the process of drawing up a basic law for the transitional period in Iraq until a new constitution is voted on in two years’ time, a spokesman said on Sunday.

“Mr Bremer met members of the Governing Council to launch the process of drawing up the basic law,” a spokesman for the US-led coalition occupying Iraq told journalists.

The basic law will include procedures for electing a transitional assembly and must be approved by February 28 next year, under a timetable for transferring sovereignty to the Iraqis agreed by Bremer and the US-appointed Governing Council.

In line with this accord, the law will require respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of worship, equality for all citizens, separation of powers and a measure of decentralisation, notably for Kurdistan.

It will also stipulate civilian control over the armed forces and police and the introduction of a democratic system.

The spokesman stressed that the coalition was talking with all Iraqi groups, including the Sunni minority favoured by ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, accused of carrying out attacks against coalition forces.

Those reponsible for the attacks “are people who enjoyed privileges under the old regime and we think that they do not represent the majority of Sunnis and are only a tiny minority,” he said.—AFP