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Qatar moves toward democracy

Doha: A neon billboard on a busy Doha street reads, ``Let's participate, vote in the constitutional referendum.'' At a time when West Asian leaders are feeling pressure to reform or face the fate of Iraq's Saddam Hussein, this tiny Gulf state is moving toward a broader role for the public in how the country is governed. Qatar's democratic experiment is in its early stages, but the process is being closely watched for signs of how the Arabs will fare at democracy building. The country has no political parties, and some question whether its reform-minded Emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, is doing enough to foster change. Still, a draft Constitution being put to voters in a referendum on Tuesday promises a democratic leap forward.

AP

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