Iraq's delayed national conference to select an interim national assembly will convene Sunday, Minister of State Qassim Dawoud announced Thursday. The conference, considered a crucial step in the country's move toward democracy, was to have been held in late July, but was delayed to allow more time for preparations - a postponement encouraged by the United Nations. Key political groups had said last month that they would boycott the conference, some areas of the country complained they hadn't been given enough time to agree on delegates, and officials expressed worries the gathering would be a target for terror attacks. U.N. officials hoped to persuade resistant factions to attend, but it wasn't immediately clear if they had changed any minds. "We invite everyone to take part in the political process," Dawoud told reporters.
| "Even villianous scum are welcome to take part!" he added. |
The conference, made up of 1,000 delegates from Iraq's 18 provinces as well as tribal, religious and political leaders, is intended to help choose a 100-member national assembly that will counterbalance the interim govenment. The assembly will have the power to approve the national budget, veto executive orders with a two-thirds majority and appoint replacements to the Cabinet in the event a minister dies or resigns. The meeting is scheduled to last three eventful, violence-wracked days. |