Abd Al-Aziz Al-Hakim: Iraq's Laws and Constitution Should Satisfy Iraqis, not Condoleezza Rice

The following are excerpts from an interview with 'Abd Al-'Aziz Al-Hakim, the head of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq. The Iranian News Channel [IRINN] aired this interview in Arabic with Farsi voice-over on February 16, 2005:

'Abd Al-'Aziz Al-Hakim: As for the role of Islam in Iraqi law in the future, agreement has been reached on three issues: First, Iraqi law must respect the Islamic identity of the Iraqi public. Second, Islam will be the official religion of the state. Third, no article in the future constitution will contradict Islamic law. These agreed principles will be implemented both in the constitution and in future government activities in Iraq. The decisions of the future government must satisfy the Iraqi people, not America. the opposition of America and in particular [Condoleeza] Rice to the establishment of a religious regime in Iraq has not yet reached us in writing. But our decisions must be in accordance with the will of the Iraqi people, not of America.