The 15 August deadline

for drafting the Iraqi constitution because of major differences between all the concerned parties. While the Shiites focus on a constitution that reflect their majority status, the Sunni Arabs keep trying to reinforce their position as a minority, especially given that the Americans support them in this. As for the Kurds, they want the Shiites and the Sunni Arabs to recognize their right to have an autonomous federated state in northern Iraq, otherwise they will seek partition and declare an independent state in Kurdistan. In this context, sources close to the Premiership warn that the future of the government will be at risk if the 15 August deadline is not met.