Iraqi PM pushes for stronger central govt

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki yesterday renewed a call for the Iraqi constitution to be changed to concentrate more power with the central government in Baghdad.
"The constitution is not perfect and is not a good formula for building a modern state," he told a meeting of sheikhs in the Iraqi capital.
"It played a role during a difficult period of Iraq's history but it absolutely needs to be changed to build the state. When I talk of changes, they must be constitutional ... and not reached by intimidation or the bullying of others."
Maliki hopes to strengthen the central government's powers, but Iraqi Kurds, who mostly live in the oil-rich autonomous region of Kurdistan, have firmly rejected any constitutional changes for fear of losing any of their autonomy.
Predominantly Shia Muslim provinces in the south of the country, who also have vast energy reserves, are also reticent to change the constitution.
Constitutional changes are extremely difficult to pass in Iraq because any three of Iraq's 18 provinces can block proposed modifications -- Kurdistan itself is made up of three provinces.
Maliki rejected calls for an amnesty for insurgents.
"Reconciliation ... with murderers and criminals will not be achieved," he told the sheikhs.
"It is not fair to reconcile with those who made women widows, children orphans, destroyed the country, launched wars and were not excused until now," he said, referring to members of executed former dictator Saddam Hussein's Baath Party who joined the insurgency.