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In Climax to a Tumultuous 4-Day Debate, Iraq Chooses an Assembly
via NYTBugMeNot was 'down' at the time of this post. If a Login becomes necessary, try the link. By SABRINA TAVERNISE - August 19, 2004 BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 18 - After four marathon days of back-room bargaining and strident debate, a political conference here selected a national assembly on Wednesday, putting Iraq on the road to becoming a constitutional democracy in a jumbled process that never included a formal vote. The political jockeying grew intense in its final hours, with some delegates climbing on a stage to protest what they said was a process monopolized by large political parties. In a final dramatic moment, some of the delegates withdrew their candidacies in protest. But they ultimately remained in the conference, giving the assembly legitimacy. The result was a list of names to fill a 100-seat assembly that will act as a parliament, overseeing the interim government of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi until elections slated for January. The body as chosen will present a broad cross section of Iraqi society, taking in sheiks and social workers, bureaucrats and religious leaders. One delegate, Hamid al-Kifaey, said the seat distribution ended up relatively proportional to the religious and ethnic demographics of this country of 25 million, including Sunni and Shiite Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens. "Today the interim national congress has been formed," said a tired-looking Fuad Masum, the Iraqi official who is organizing the conference. "It was legal." ...more... Now we wait and see if they "get it", though not very likely given the Sadr Peace Mission, or if they turn it into an Arab Tribal Confederation, complete with Shari'a Rights Councils and Ministry of Baksheesh. Sigh. Posted by: .com 2004-08-19 |
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