Sources close to leading Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali Sistani say last night’s UN resolution is satisfactory in view of the fact that it did not confirm or adopt the interim Iraqi constitution. According to these sources, the position of France as well as that of Russia at the UN Security Council have been highly regarded by the Iraqi Shiite Marja’iya and will certainly have a good impact on the Shiite relationship with both France and Russia. In Sistani’s opinion, the UNSC should not validate the interim constitution and wait for a permanent constitution passed by an elected Iraqi National Assembly.
Iraq Information Report - June 9, 2004 - 5th Year, N°5/515