Iraqi Delegates Pick Interim National Assembly

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-council19aug19.story

Iraqi Delegates Pick Interim National Assembly
By Alissa J. Rubin and David Holley
Times Staff Writers

August 19, 2004

BAGHDAD — Taking a halting step toward a democratic government, Iraqi political and religious leaders selected an interim national assembly Wednesday that includes representatives from many of the parties that control the current government.

The final, somewhat chaotic selection of the 100 members of the interim National Council came after a stormy four-day session overshadowed by efforts to deal with a radical cleric's occupation of a sacred mosque in Najaf.

No final vote for the assembly membership was taken, after organizers of one of the two candidate slates withdrew it at the last moment in protest against voting procedures they said were unfair.

In the end, most observers were uncertain about just who had been selected and the breakdown of party affiliations.

Although the powers of the interim National Council will be limited and much of its role will be consultative, it will be able to veto legislation with a two-thirds majority, approve the national budget, and appoint a prime minister or president in the event that either leader dies or leaves office. The council will stay in office until elections, planned for January, are held. <snip>

[King of New Orleans]

1. In other words

it's a completely useless sham

[papau]

2. Election over - our guys elected - we won't tell you their names!

Does seem a bit odd!

:-)