SCIRI and the Iraqi charter

Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, the leader of Iran's proxy SCIRI, has had the following to say, via the New York Times:

"This constitution was endorsed by the Iraqi people," he said, during a speech in honor of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

Mr. Hakim appeared to rule out in particular any change in the constitution's provisions allowing the creation of strong regional provinces, a point that had angered many Sunnis.

"It is our responsibility to form Baghdad provinces and southern Iraq provinces," Mr. Hakim said.

The period for changing the charter is the next four months after a government forms. That would mean the intentions of Iraq's Shiite leaders will be known before the summer. Some of them, at least, do not appear willing to make the compromises necessary to attract sufficient Sunni support.

Though this may just be tough talk.