Withdrawals from the Iraqi national Congress after the renewal of fighting in Najaf
Iraq, Politics, 8/16/2004

The Iraqi National Congress was exposed to a strong setback upon its inauguration after a large number of participants left the hall where the conference was convened because of the eruption of fighting in Najaf al-Ashraf city.

More than 100 participants left their seats as far as the UN representative Ashraf Ghazi finished his inaugural speech, while shouting highly " as far as there are air raids and bombardment it is not possible to convene this conference."

A Spokesman for the Shiite House in Iraq called for immediate halting of attacks in Najaf and to resort to peaceful talks. The spokesman called in statements to the press for the resignation of the governor of al-Najaf Adnan al-Zarfi and its police director.

Meantime, Salamah al-Khaffaji, member of the higher committee in the commission in charge of preparing for the conference denied the collapse of the negotiations in Najaf, noting that there are at the meantime, two types of negotiations in each of Najaf and Baghdad.

In press statements, al-Khafaji said that Baghdad's negotiations were secured so as not to be in contradiction with what is taking place in Najaf and that these negotiations are taking place at the supervision of the Shiite House and the UN.

The conference, however, started its works yesterday morning in Baghdad with the participation of more than 1,000 figures from all Iraqi cities amid tightened security measures.

The chairman of the conference's preparatory committee Fouad Masoum said in an inaugural speech " we are laying the first stones in the way towards democracy in our country and we put an end to 35 years of the rule of the former regime." The conference started by convening work rounds to discuss the authority transfer process and human rights and the process of rebuilding the country and to be fair with those who suffered under the rule of Saddam Hussein.

In the last day of the conference, the participants will choose 81 members of the national council members which will be composed of 100 members. The other 19 seats will be occupied by former members in the Interim governing council which was formed one year ago and desolved by the end of June.

Previous Stories:
  Israel brings back part of the plane downed over Iraq in 1967   (8/14/2004)
  US vows to fight against obstructers of freedom, democracy   (8/14/2004)
  Truce collapse in Najaf; al-Sader calls for the resignation of the Iraqi government   (8/14/2004)

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