WASHINGTON-- Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today criticized the Iraqi transitional National Assembly for its decision to change the rules to allow a proposed constitution to fail in a scheduled national referendum only if two-thirds of all registered votersrather than two-thirds of those actually casting ballotsreject it in at least three of the 18 provinces of Iraq. Reed stated, The goal of this referendum is to bring all parties into the political process. This change is another obstacle to winning the full support of the Sunni population. This is a further complication of an already difficult situation and the Administration needs to do a better job at involving the Sunnis or it runs the risk of increased violence. A national referendum on a draft Iraqi constitution is scheduled for October 15, 2005.