Afghans spar over power sharing
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The constitution hammers out new freedoms to women in Afghanistan.
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Afghanistan is on a long, difficult road to democracy and recovery.
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KABUL, Afghanistan -- Sharp differences over the concentration of power have emerged during debate over Afghanistan's first post-Taliban charter in the opening days of a landmark loya jirga, or grand assembly.
Security is tight as 500 delegates meet in Kabul to debate the draft constitution that will pave the way for the country's first democratic presidential elections next year.
If the delegates can hammer out a constitution, a presidential ballot will be held in June, followed by legislative elections.
In a profound break with the past, the 50-page document -- which delegates are seeking to ratify during the convention -- envisions an Islamic republic, but not Islamic or Sharia law.
It provides for a powerful president, who'll be commander in chief of the military, as well as a two-house legislature. It also enshrines women's rights to education and to a role in governing the country. Under the ousted Taliban regime, women were oppressed.
Opponents to the distribution of power want a stronger parliament and a prime minister to add some balance.
But other issues, including women and human rights, and the delicate matter of what role Islam -- Afghanistan's national religion -- will play in the constitution are expected to be fiercely resisted by hardline conservative delegates and could contribute to deep ethnic and regional divides.
The meeting is the second since a U.S. military offensive brought about the fall of the Taliban two years ago and comes amid a rise of violence throughout many parts of Afghanistan in recent weeks.
Among the delegates attending the loya jirga -- which is set to run from at least 10 days to several weeks -- are 114 women as well as former commanders, mujahedeen fighters, tribal leaders and former Western-based exiles.
Challenge
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Security is tight for the loya jirga.
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In his opening speech on Sunday, former king Mohammad Zahir Shah told the delegates they "have full rights to make amendments and bring changes" to the draft.
"The people are relying on you and you should not forget them," Shah told the assembly. "I hope you will try your best to maintain peace, stability and the unity of the Afghan people."
Interim President Hamid Karzai -- confirmed in his current position during a similar meeting last year -- said the constitution would offer a stable future for Afghans.
"We are set to determine the future of the nation and of coming generations," Karzai said. "This constitution will guarantee the rights of all Afghan people ... and put an end to anarchy."
The interim leader also laid down a challenge to militants, including the Taliban and their allies, who have threatened to target the assembly.
"Bring as many rockets, bombs and guns as you have," he said. "We will fight you, resist you and we'll keep our people safe from you because we have God, the people and the government on our side."
Delegates are divided by pressure from the U.S.-backed Karzai for a presidential system of governing, while opponents are pushing for a prime minister who would share power.
However, Karzai scored an early victory late Sunday when Islamic moderate, Sibghatullah Mujaddedi, who is viewed as a close ally, was elected chairman of the council.
But ethnic fault lines made their appearance, with speakers aligned with the Northern Alliance -- which waged a civil war against the former Taliban regime -- challenging Karzai's right to appoint 50 of the delegates.
Pashtuns -- Afghanistan's largest ethnic group -- rallied around Karzai, saying he was the only person capable of reuniting the country and taming its feuding warlords, The Associated Press reported.
Many delegates fear such ethnic rivalry and the dispute over a presidential system will overshadow other key issues such as the rights of women and the role of Islam.
Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
