In Kabul, at the Loya Jirga, women Afghani delegates
freed by the USA participate,
and speak their mind, instead of being forced to live like a slave in cave.
Posted on 01/01/2004 11:18:37 AM PST by freedom44
KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Voting began Thursday in a broadly based assembly of Afghanistan's leaders working to draft a new constitution.
Known as a "Loya Jirga," or grand council, 502 men and women from around the country have been debating a proposed 160-article constitution supported by the United States.
However, as many as a quarter of the delegates are refusing to vote on five hotly disputed articles of the 160-article draft document, the BBC reported. The five articles cover items like official languages and presidential powers.
The draft establishes a strong presidential system with a limited role for parliament. It would also makes Islam the official religion but without Islamic sharia law.
The draft is supported by interim leader Hamid Karzai, who is expected to run for president in elections scheduled for June.
For any decision to be ratified more than half of the delegates, meeting under a huge tent at a college in Kabul, must participate.
A constitution will have to be endorsed by all Afghanistan's communities.
In Kabul, at the Loya Jirga, women Afghani delegates
freed by the USA participate,
and speak their mind, instead of being forced to live like a slave in cave.
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