Later that month a draft constitution was completed, but it was rejected in September by a government-appointed panel.
The day after the constitution was completed, I talked with Barzani, who was dressed, uncharacteristically, in a Western-style suit and tie.
The outline of the new constitution was completed last year and was widely interpreted as ensuring a strong ruling hand for the military in any civilian government.
Donors should insist that the new constitution be completed, emphasizing the need for compromise, particularly in the debates around ethnic representation and federalism.
But he also said that new elections would be held after the process of crafting a new constitution was completed, and that the power-sharing government should not be extended beyond August.
On September 7, 1874, the new constitution was completed and signed by a majority of delegates.
The state's first constitution was completed on June 29, and elections were held in August to fill the offices of the new state government.
When the constitution was completed, David G. Burnet headed a subcommittee to craft a letter to Mexican authorities to explain the merits of the proposal.
And as recently as a few weeks ago, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, the leader of the military council, said cryptically that the generals did not intend to leave power until a constitution was complete, even though the slow-starting constitutional assembly had no chance to finish before the generals pledged transfer of power on June 30.
They have been able to agree on very little since.The comprehensive peace agreement struck in 2006 envisaged an all-party government until the new constitution was complete.
