BAGHDAD - Five of the top Sunni Arabs in government spoke out Saturday against the draft constitution, a major blow to deadline efforts to craft a document that can win the backing of all Iraqi groups. Sunni negotiators sought changes in the draft on the eve of a parliament session to approve it.
U.S. diplomats worked furiously to mediate a deal among the Shiite, Kurdish and Sunni Arab delegations so that the National Assembly can receive a document accepted by all -- enhancing chances for an easy approval by the voters in the Oct. 15 referendum.
The Shiites and Kurds have accepted the draft, but parliamentary approval over Sunni objections would be a severe blow to President George W. Bush's hopes that the document could lure Sunni Arabs from the insurgency and hasten the day U.S. troops could go home.
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