Mahmoud Othman Quotes (55 Quotes)

I am happy about this decision because I want this to be done democratically, even though we support the constitution.

We hope to solve the problems to end the deadlock as soon as possible... we need time but how much I do not know. The delay is not acceptable.

We should not be with one side or the other, but somewhere in the middle.

Yes, probably some words will be changed here and there, and this issue is under discussion, especially the Iraqi identity. We are discussing this article aiming at achieving an aspiration of the Arab League as well as to satisfy some parties.

We are quickly running out of time. We are making very little progress in our negotiations. The situation is fragile and not one where we can afford to be divided. What the politicians don't seem to grasp is that if we don't act wisely and quickly, our decision could lead the country into even worse chaos.

These are all negative signs that tarnish the picture of the trial and thus affect the credibility of the court and the confidence of the public in it.

whether Islam will be the main source or a source of legislation in the constitution.

Americans are working very hard to work out something.

They made this change because they were afraid the constitution would be rejected. But now it may be counterproductive they made the Sunnis so furious that maybe more of them will vote no.

We are not yet in a civil war. But if the ongoing violence is not contained, it will turn into an Iraqi-Iraqi war.

spiritual ambassador in Europe.

I can't predict a timetable for forming the government. All these important points need thorough study. If they can't reach an agreement, then there will be a problem.

The (committee) members will study and discuss the names, make their choices and then present them to the heads of the blocs either tonight or tomorrow.

The cancellation of this meeting is a regrettable thing because such meetings are essential under the current situation.

How can we vote when we saw nothing of the last budget

The main demands are the same ones that the Sunnis have been talking about all along.

They don't like the idea of Iraq being described as federal, they prefer united, but I don't think they are going to get that.

From the very beginning, we said that if the constitution committee wants to have a draft that all would agree on, it would be impossible by Aug. 15, ... The Sunnis haven't agreed on some points, and I don't think they will. The Kurds also haven't gotten their demands yet. ... There's a concern that the Sunnis and Kurds might boycott.

If concessions are made to the Sunnis to make additions to the constitution, then the other parties want a guarantee from the Sunnis that they will vote back the constitution at the referendum. But there are no guarantees.

Iraq is in a very delicate situation and has problems with foreign forces, so we need a government of national unity that should include the Shiite list, Kurdish coalition and the Sunnis. When everyone is together, the problems will be less.

There was not enough time to reach an agreement.

Really, we are disappointed with that. It seems like the Americans want to have a constitution at any cost,

It is not good to have a constitution that would limit the liberties of people, the human rights, the freedoms.

This is the first time that I have heard politicians say they are worried about the outbreak of civil war.

It's very difficult to reach something that the Sunnis can agree to. Tomorrow will be crucial.

Without any doubt, there is American pressure on everybody, ... The U. S. wants to reach a solution and finalize an agreement, and they say that the date of Aug. 15 is sacred.

Everyone is nervous. The security situation is not good. There are so many explosions at the checkpoints and near the convoys. The Americans are afraid. And when the driver doesn't see them, it happens sometimes that civilians are killed. It is a tragedy that most of the victims are civilians. It is making life more difficult. But this is our situation. It is very dangerous.

We don't want to violate the constitution before our first meeting.

I think we will resume talks in a few days. We will also try to calm things down and get the (Arab) Sunnis again to sit at the table with everyone.

The U.S. wants a government more than we do.

We're short of time it's the fault of the Americans. They are always insisting on short deadlines. It's as if they're making hamburgers and fast food.

The U.S. wants a government more than we do. They are demanding with great insistence that the parliament be convened as soon as possible.

but the question is, would this draft satisfy the Sunni Arabs' demands.

Someone should have said something. The other side is talking, and the American side is silent. To be silent here means you are on the weak side.

Everyone is trying to convince his own people and we haven't reached an agreement on federalism.

The visit to Turkey showed that he makes decision without consulting anybody, like during the last Cabinet. That has ignited a new dissatisfaction.

The nation's political parties supported the decision to delay the session until all parties agree on all the nominees for the key posts.

Settling these differences is not an easy matter and it cannot be done quickly.

He wrote his opinions to try to find a compromise, so all sides are now studying it.

Violence has its fingerprints on everything. It's affecting everything and every activity.

Sunni approval of the constitution would have created a big movement against the terrorists, ... It is a good document. What worries us is our Sunni Arab friends.

I don't think anybody is in a hurry. They are completely out of touch with the voters.

They are divided and that is the reason why they are not able to reach a quick decision on the candidate.

We have nothing against this choice and we are very happy that finally they have changed their candidate. This change will help the political process and very much help the formation of the new government.

He cannot make a successful prime minister. We experienced ... a year in which he was not capable of addressing the issues of Iraq. Why should we repeat this failure

The Americans say they don't intervene, but they have intervened deep. They gave us a detailed proposal, almost a full version of a constitution. They try to compromise the different opinions of all the political blocs. The U.S. officials are more interested in the Iraqi constitution than the Iraqis themselves, because they promised their people that it will be done August 15.

It's unfair and I didn't vote for it. It's a double standard and it shouldn't have happened.

Being a Muslim, he understands what Islam means, and Islam is very important in Iraq right now. And being an Easterner he understands our traditions.

Yesterday (Sunday) the meeting of the president with the other parties agreed on the principle of forming a national security council.

There are intense talks going on. They are trying very hard to see if they can make last-minute changes for the Sunni Arabs.