iraq constitution redux

nathan newman noticed something i didn't when i read through the iraqi interim constutition last week:

Bush wants to claim that with the new Constitution passed, power will be turned over to Iraqis after June of this year.

It's a lie.

The new government under the new constitution will be barred from overturning any laws that the US has imposed on the country since the Occupation.

Why can't they change them?

Because of this provision in the Constitution, Article 26:

A) Except as otherwise provided in this Law, the laws in force in Iraq on 30 June 2004 shall remain in effect unless and until rescinded or amended by the Iraqi Transitional Government in accordance with this Law.

Note that the "Iraqi Transitional Government" doesn't come into existence until new elections occur, which can be as late as December 2005-- a long period to be governed by Paul Bremer's recently enacted pro-corporate laws.

[snip]

Don't believe the hype-- with Article 26, the Occupation continues after June. A government that cannot change US-imposed laws is nothing more than a remote controlled puppet regime.

i agree. and this provision also explains how the u.s. can be so certain that u.s. troops will remain after "sovereignty" is handed over on june 30th. all they have to do is get the puppets in power today to pass a law requiring iraq to accept u.s. troops and presto, the u.s will be guaranteed a place in iraq for at least another year and a half, if not longer.