Al-Rai al-Aam: On the Iraqi opposition conference

The Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Aam has stressed quoting opposition Iraqi sources that the number of participants in the Iraqi opposition conference in London on the 10th of this month will exceed 300 persons. The paper said that this conference resembles the "well-known Berlin conference which was held by the Afghani groups before the collapse of the Taliban movement."

The paper said that the US, and under the strong differences among the opposition members, asked the conferees for two things: not to discuss the constitution and not to form a government, stressing that the basic aim of the conference is a "flexing of muscles and to direct messages to Iraq and the neighboring states that the opposition exists, is united and able to act."

The sources indicated that differences between the opposition members are differences are many and are principled, and stem from the vision for the future of Iraq and other differences are an extension of the differences between the US defense department and the CIA inside the opposition lines.

The sources expected that London's conference will settle matters in favor of independent academics who are considered linked on the "Middle trend" in a way that an agreement will be made implicitly on a prominent President for Iraq and an active prime minister that will practically assume rebuilding and restoring order and drawing new constitutional bases.

The sources indicated that certain circles in the USA are thinking of appointing Gen. Tommy Francs as a ruler for Iraq until an Iraqi army general can succeed the rule, collaborating with Francs and with the Americans in a way to serve the common interests of the two sides.