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100 desert Iraq conference
By Sam Dagher in Baghdad
August 15, 2004
A NATIONAL conference, hailed as Iraq's first experiment in democracy for decades, got off to a rocky start today when more than 100 delegates walked out to protest against fighting in the holy city of Najaf.
Dozens of people leapt out of their seats as soon as UN special envoy to Iraq Ashraf Jehangir Qazi finished his opening speech. "As long as there are air strikes and shelling we can't have a conference," some shouted.
Yahya Mussawi, from a Shiite Muslim political grouping that helped defuse a spring uprising by militia leader Moqtada al-Sadr, jumped on the stage before he was forced down by chief organiser Fuad Maasum.
"Part of democracy is that you listen to the Iraqi people. It is time that you heard us and we ask that military operations stop in Najaf immediately and dialogue takes place," Mr Mussawi shouted.
"Listen to us, prime minister, listen to us," said the protesters, as Mr Maasum announced a 30-minute break in the proceedings.
The protesters threatened to withdraw from the conference unless US-led military operations against Sadr's fighters in Najaf were not halted.
Gunfire resumed almost simultaneously in Najaf, a day after the government said its offensive against Sadr's Mehdi Army would continue in the wake of failed peace talks.
Delegates also demanded that a national council, which the conference delegates are due to appoint, be allowed to impeach members of the interim government if they decided they are not serving the interests of Iraqis.
They also demanded that groups excluded from the event, among them Sadr's camp, be included.
During the break, mortar bombs exploded in the Green Zone, shaking the building as organisers of the conference screamed at participants to get away from the windows of the convention centre.
An AFP correspondent inside the building heard at least five or six explosions and described the atmosphere as very tense.
Three columns of smoke could be seen rising into the air from within the heavily fortified area, which houses the seat of the interim government and the US embassy.
Speaking to CNN, UN adviser Jamal Benomar said the conference's delayed start, after being originally due to take place late last month, had enabled the event to be more complete.
"I can say that there is a very diverse group of people here," he said.
Asked about the mortar explosions he said only: "We're getting used to this living here in Baghdad."
The conference is scheduled to first hold working sessions to discuss the transition process, human rights, reconstruction and the issue of justice for those who suffered under Saddam Hussein's former dictatorship.
On the last day, delegates will select 81 members of the national council to advise the government as it paves the way for national elections scheduled for January 2005.
The other 19 seats have already been allocated to members of the defunct interim Governing Council that served between Saddam's fall and the creation of the caretaker government in early June.
"We are laying the first building blocks for our country's march towards democracy and ridding ourselves of the 35-year legacy of the previous regime," Mr Maasum said as the conference opened.
Clashes also broke out between US soldiers and insurgents on Baghdad's Haifa Street, one of the areas included in a government curfew until 4pm (10pm AEST) for the conference, a US soldier at the scene told AFP.
"A few rounds of mortars were fired on Haifa Street, but we have no information about casualties," he said on condition of anonymity.
"The firing is sporadic but quite regular," he said, adding that US forces also found an explosive device outside the health ministry.
An AFP correspondent saw at least half a dozen Humvees and around 20 US soldiers in the area, with the street deserted and blocked off.
Agence France-Presse
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