|
Iraq National Conference to Begin Sat.
Iraq announced that a national conference for 1,000 delegates to choose an interim assembly would begin Saturday - a vital step toward democracy in a nation struggling to deal with a persistent campaign of kidnappings and other violence. The conference, stipulated under a law enacted by the former U.S. occupation authority, was to have been concluded by the end of July, but it had to be delayed because preparations were behind schedule, conference chair Fuad Masoum said. "There was an idea put forward by the United Nations to delay the conference because of a lack of preparation, from technical and other perspectives," Masoum said. "We don't want to go ahead without the U.N."
| 'cause the UN is so valuable and all. |
However, the United Nations wanted a much longer delay, which organizers vetoed. The conference is beset with difficulties, with some local leaders unable to agree on delegates and some important factions threatening to boycott. The gathering will help create an interim assembly intended to help prepare for elections next year that many hope will bring order to a country wracked by a persistent insurgency.
| So wracked by insurgency that the economy is growing like gang-busters, people are out on the streets at night enjoying themselves, the schools and hospitals are open -- Detroit should be so wracked. |
Posted by: Steve White 2004-07-28 |
