Revisions to the "final" (Sept. 18) version of the Iraqi draft constitution, as agreed by Shiite, Kurdish and Sunni negotiators on October 11, 2005. Articles translated by the Associated Press:

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NEW: Article 1:

The Republic of Iraq is a single, independent federal state with full sovereignty. Its system of government is republican, representative (parliamentary) and democratic. This Constitution is the guarantor of its unity

OLD: Article 1:

The Republic of Iraq is an independent sovereign state. Its system of government is republican, representative (parliamentary), democratic and federal.

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NEW: Article 3:

Iraq is a country of many nationalities, religions and sects and is a founding and active member of the Arab League and is committed to its covenant. Iraq is a part of the Islamic world.

OLD: Article 3:

Iraq is a country of many nationalities, religions and sects, and is a part of the Islamic world, is a founding and active member of the Arab League, and is committed to its covenant.

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NEW: Article 4, Clause 3

The federal institutions and agencies in the Kurdistan region shall use the Arabic and Kurdish languages.

OLD: Article 4, Clause 3:

The federal institutions and agencies in the Kurdistan region shall use both languages.

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NEW: Article 18, Clauses 1 and 2.

First: Iraqi nationality is the right of every Iraqi and shall be the basis of his citizenship.

Second: An Iraqi is any person born to an Iraqi father or mother. This will regulated by law.

OLD: Article 18, Clauses 1 and 2

First: An Iraqi is any person born to an Iraqi father or mother.

Second: Iraqi nationality is the right of every Iraqi and shall be the basis of his citizenship.

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NEW: Article 131, Clauses 5 and 6 [entirely new clauses]

Fifth: Membership in the defunct Baath party alone is not considered a sufficient basis for transfer to the courts. ...

Sixth: The Council of Representatives will form a parliamentary committee from its members to oversee and review the executive activities of the Supreme De-Baathification Commission and state agencies to guarantee justice, objectivity and transparency ...

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NEW: Article to be inserted between Articles 137 and 138 [entirely new article]

At the start of its functioning, the Council of Representatives shall form a committee from its members, which will be representative of the main components of Iraqi society and the duty of which will be to (make) ... recommendations for the necessary amendments that can be made to the Constitution....The articles amended by the Council of Representatives ... will be put before the people for a referendum within two months of the Council of Representatives' approval of them.

Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

ALSO ON JURIST  Topic: Iraqi Constitution | Op-ed: The Iraqi Constitution: What Would Approval Really Mean?