New Afghan assembly ends in brawls

Some delegates at the loya jirga have accused faction leaders of intimidation

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghanistan's grand assembly erupted in uproar on Saturday after scuffles broke out among delegates following speeches denouncing Pakistan and supporters of former king Mohammad Zahir Shah.

Afghanistan's grand assembly and Hamid Karzai, the man they elected president, had earlier wrangled over the make-up of a government whose mission is to heal ethnic wounds and rebuild a war-shattered nation.

During a meeting that often drifted into individual speeches on a variety of topics, delegates to the loya jirga assembly insist they have the right to approve members of a broadbased government.

But supporters of the 44-year-old, Western-educated Karzai say he must make the final decision.

CNN NewsPass VIDEO CNN's Gary Tuchman reports on the election of Afghanistan interim leader Hamid Karzai to a two-year term as president (June 13) Play video   AUDIO CNN's Gary Tuchman reports how a group of armed men tried to disrupt the second day of Afghanistan's historic loya jirga 1.83MB / 2:54 min WAV sound   LOYA JIRGA Focus: A very Afghan gathering  Profile: Key players

Karzai, elected in a secret ballot with 85 percent of the delegates' votes on Thursday, has been engaged in intense behind-the-scenes bargaining with leaders of various ethnic groups to forge a multi-ethnic cabinet acceptable to all parties.

The new government will run the country for 18 months before general elections are held.

Messy conclusion

The chairman of the Loya Jirga, Ismael Qasimyar, eventually resorted to switching off the microphone and pleaded for calm.

"Please speak calmly and avoid provocative issues. Try to speak only of the problems of the country," he said, according to Reuters news agency.

One deputy launched a scathing assault on neighboring Pakistan for its support of the hardline Taliban, ousted from power last year. Islamabad later switched sides and backed a U.S.-led military campaign to topple the Taliban.

"Our nation was submerged in blood for almost a decade because of Pakistan's interference," the delegate said.

"Pakistan not only armed its stooges in Afghanistan, but also sent troops to fight against Afghans. We still have hundreds of them in captivity," he added.

Afghan leaders have said they hold no grudges against Pakistan and want good relations with all their neighbors.

Another deputy began his speech denouncing the monarchists around Zahir Shah. "Some groups under the name of the former king are trying to contaminate the atmosphere of the Loya Jirga," he said.

His comments were cut short and it was not clear which groups he was referring to.

Zahir Shah stirred a controversy after he said earlier this week he would not seek political office.

At the chairman's request, former interior minister Yunus Qanuni, an eloquent speaker, made a passionate plea with delegates to avoid causing tension in a country just emerging from years of civil war and Russian occupation.

"You have not been elected to cause tension, to raise provocative issues. You have been elected to shape the future of your country, work for national unity. Let's not lose this golden opportunity," he said to repeated applause.

In the name of Islam

The loya jirga was supposed to convene from Monday until Sunday. But it began a day late and shows little sign of being able to finish on time.

Some delegates have complained the process is being unduly influenced by warlords who have created an atmosphere of intimidation. Among the controversial topics some were afraid to speak out on was the role of Islam in a new government.

On Friday, three Afghan delegates, all former fighters against the Soviets, urged the loya jirga to include the name of Islam in the next government -- making it the transitional Islamic Afghan government. Delegates rose to their feet in unison to applaud, reported Associated Press.

Despite the show of unanimity, some dissenters said Islam had been misapplied in the past -- a reference to the Taliban's austere brand of religion.

Kandahar governor Gul Agha drew jeers when he said: "The Islamic name should be omitted from the government because in the past it has been misused."

His opinion was shared by other delegates who weren't given the microphone -- and who complained that ordinary delegates were being sidelined by religious and political leaders.