The Hindu : International : Key meet opens in the shadow of violence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 16, 2004

International

International

Key meet opens in the shadow of violence

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, AUG. 15. Iraqi delegates to a conference on Sunday to discuss the creation of an interim Assembly for the country were witness to the deteriorating security situation after militants fired mortars at the meeting, killing at least two people nearby.

Iraq's Interior Ministry said three mortar bombs hit a taxi and bus station on the edge of the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, a few hundred metres away from the conference centre, also wounding 17 others.

At least two more blasts later echoed from the area, although the cause was unknown.

The conference was not affected, although delegates were startled as the explosions rattled windows.

Sadr stays away

Religious and political leaders have begun a process to constitute a 100-member interim Council that will lead the country to free elections next year. Around 1,500 delegates will appoint the Council that will advise and oversee the newly-installed interim Government. The Shia cleric in Najaf, Moqtada Al Sadr, whose Mehdi Army is resisting U.S. occupation of Iraq, boycotted the meeting. An influential Sunni organisation has also stayed away from the conclave.

The conference was marked by protests, which began soon after the U.N. special envoy, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, concluded his address. Shia members invited to the conference jumped from their seats demanding an end to fighting in Najaf.

Meanwhile, clashes broke out in Najaf between U.S. forces and the Mehdi Army, a day after peace talks with the cleric's supporters collapsed.

U.S. soldier killed

AP/DPA report:

A U.S. soldier was killed early on Sunday when an improvised bomb exploded in northern Baghdad, the military announced. The blast went off about 1:30 a.m., the military said in a statement.

At least 13 persons were reported killed today in separate clashes between followers of Mr. Al Sadr and Iraqi security forces in and around the city of Hillah, south of Baghdad.

Nine were killed and 18 wounded in clashes in the city of Hashemiyah, south-east of Hillah. Militiamen were also reported to have attacked three police stations in Hillah. Sources said four people were killed in these attacks.

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