Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | US relents on Islamic law to reach Iraq deal

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | US relents on Islamic law to reach Iraq deal: "If approved, critics say that the proposals would erode women's rights and other freedoms enshrined under existing laws. 'We understand the Americans have sided with the Shias. It's shocking. It doesn't fit with American values,' an unnamed Kurdish negotiator told Reuters. 'They have spent so much blood and money here, only to back the creation of an Islamist state.'

Dozens of women gathered in central Baghdad yesterday to protest against what the organiser, Yanar Mohammad, feared would be a 'fascist, nationalist and Islamist' constitution. 'We are fighting to avoid becoming second class citizens,' she said."