Administration and social conditions
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Government:
In accordance with Provisional
Constitution of July 16, 1970, executive and legislative powers exercised
by Revolutionary Command Council (RCC), chairman of which is also
president of country. First parliamentary elections held in June 1980,
resulting in First National Assembly. Second National Assembly elected in
October 1984; National Assembly has generally met twice annually as
provided in Constitution and exercises legislative functions together with
RCC, which has ultimate decision- making authority.
Politics: Political system was under firm
control of Baath (Arab Socialist Resurrection) Party. Party's high
command, called Regional Command, was headed in 1988 by President Saddam
Husayn, who held title of secretary general of the Regional Command and
was also chairman of the RCC; vice chairman of the RCC and presumably
successor to Saddam was Izzat Ibrahim; vice president was Taha Muhy ad Din
Maruf. Government and political leadership interchangeable because members
of Regional Command also members of RCC. Political activities, where they
existed, carried out within framework of Progressive National Front (PNF),
of which Iraq Communist Party (ICP) was a participant. Some Kurdish and
independent progressive groups also included in PNF. Politics of
opposition outside PNF banned for all practical purposes.
Administrative Divisions: In 1988 eighteen
governorates or provinces, each divided into districts and sub-districts.
Limited self-rule was granted to Kurds in three northern governorates
officially known as Autonomous Region and popularly known as Kurdistan
(land of the Kurds).
Judicial System: Administratively under
jurisdiction of Ministry of Justice but theoretically independent under
the Constitution. All judges appointed by president. Court of Cassation,
highest court of land; personal status disputes handled by religious
community courts (Islamic law--or sharia, or other). Country divided into
five appellate districts.
International Affairs: Major issue was war
with Iran since 1980 and attempts at a peace settlement, which resulted in
cease-fire in August 1988. In 1980s Iraq moved from close friendship with
Soviet Union to rapprochement with United States (diplomatic relations
reestablished in 1984), cordial relations with Western Europe, especially
France, and good relations with Persian Gulf states and Jordan. Iraqi
relations with Syria, which supported Iran in the war, were cool.
The
initial institution and relevant laws since the establishment of the modern
state of Iraq (in Arabic)
