How not to build trust

The agreement between Iraq's governing coalition and one of the main Sunni parties is undoubtedly a good sign. But can one blame other Sunni actors for being suspicious of the deal?

The Sunnis' leading political organization, the Iraqi Islamic Party, endorsed the compromises, which conceded some sticking points and put off others until a new National Assembly is elected. Other major Sunni parties withheld support, however, splitting what had been solid Sunni opposition to the proposed document.

State television, controlled by loyalists of the Shiite religious party that leads Iraq's transitional government, aired what it described as live footage of crowds dancing in the streets of the Shiite holy city of Najaf to celebrate the accord. The scenes were actually filmed earlier in the week -- before the agreement was reached -- as shopkeepers and a reporter watched. No such celebrations were seen in the streets of Najaf on Wednesday...

The changes mean Iraqis will vote Saturday on what is essentially a promise to write key parts of the constitution later. The alternative, scrapping the current draft, would mean starting over: A new parliament would have to be elected to write another draft constitution.

As if the earlier series of constantly changing deadlines wasn't enough reason to be skeptical about anything the governing coalition had to say, the media manipulation has to call its sincerity into all the more doubt. Which is particularly problematic if, as appears to be the case, the agreement will make change much more difficult to make later on.