SIGNS OF PROGRESS

The Iraqi Governing Council is debating a draft law for the country's future transitional government. The law will regulate the work of the government during the period from July 2004 to December 2005, when Iraq's permanent government is due to be elected.

Relatively little is known so far about the draft, which was written by Iraqi lawyers and advisors to the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority. What is know is that the plan envisions a three-person presidency, a bill of rights, and a legislature in which women will hold 40 percent of the seats.