Shiite Leaders Won't Sign Iraq Constitution

NPR | By Ivan Watson

Published March 4, 2004 at 9:00 PM PST

Five Shiite Muslim members of the U.S.-appointed governing council in Iraq refused to sign the interim constitution Friday, saying at least two of its provisions did not meet their approval. Chief U.S. administrator Paul Bremer continued talks with the council, hoping to salvage the constitution. Hear NPR's Melissa Bock and NPR's Ivan Watson.

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.