Iraq Constitution Negotiations Impacting U.S. Military Mission

Aug. 25, 2005 — -- Iraq's parliament continues to negotiate the wording of a draft constitution, Gen. John Vines -- who heads multinational troops in Iraq -- told ABC News. While every faction in Iraq will find something unacceptable about the constitution, it is the Sunnis he is most worried about.

In an exclusive interview with ABC News' Martha Raddatz, Vines said the Sunni response to the constitution directly affects the U.S. mission in Iraq and how long U.S. forces will be on the ground.

Vines said he is certain of one thing -- there will be more violence in the months ahead.

"There is little doubt in our mind that that will occur," he said.

If the Sunnis do not feel the constitution provides them enough political power, he expects the insurgency to grow even further.

"I think that the support for the insurgency will probably broaden if the Sunnis feel like their interests are not protected," Vines said. "I think that is vital to have an effective constitution and referendum."

During an interview with ABC News in Baghdad last March, Vines said it was possible that U.S. troop levels would be reduced by as many as 50,000 by the spring of next year.

Vines now says reducing troops will not happen unless three conditions are met: The Iraqi government must be stable and competent, Iraqi security forces must be sufficiently trained and ready, and the overall state of security is improved.

"Much of that will be determined by whether or not we have a constitution and whether or not we have a permanent government that's been elected," he said.

Vines would not make any predictions about Iraq's government, but it is clear from his comments that if the Iraqis fail to agree on an acceptable constitution it could delay plans for withdrawing troops.

ABC News' Martha Raddatz filed this report for "World News Tonight."