Iraq conference to go ahead amid Wednesday’s carnage

BAGHDAD – The organisers of a major political conference, Iraq’s first effort at democracy, said yesterday they were determined to push ahead despite mayhem near the Iranian border yesterday An Iraqi border guard was killed and nine others were wounded when insurgents ambushed their convoy near the Iranian border yesterday morning.

A gang of about 50 attackers fired rocket-propelled grenades, mortar rounds and shot up the 30-man convoy as it headed to Baquba from Khanaqin, General Nazem Sherif Mohammed, head of the unit, said. Wednesday’s suicide bombing north of Baghdad which killed at least 70 people, and fighting south of the capital in which more than 40 died, have heightened fears that the conference, set for Saturday in Baghdad, could be targeted by insurgents.Besides bombs, there is a risk that a months-long campaign by insurgents and criminals to kidnap foreigners and senior Iraqis could target delegates.On Wednesday two Pakistani hostages were killed and yesterday a Somali man was seized.The conference, billed as a crucial step in Iraq’s post-war transition ahead of elections in January, will draw around 1 000 delegates from around the country, creating a headache for the thousands of US and Iraqi security forces ready to police it.Pressure has already been put on to delay – the United Nations felt more time was needed to select delegates and ensure the conference was as representative as possible.And after Wednesday’s carnage, security is again a prime concern.But the chairman of the event, Fouad Massoum, is standing firm and his staff reiterated their commitment yesterday.”All Iraqis want this conference to go ahead on time, and if the Iraqi people want it, then how can we say no?” said Sarko Mahmoud, Massoum’s chief of staff.”The security situation in Iraq is such that it has become a part of every Iraqi’s life now – if you postponed everything for security, you’d have to postpone your life as well.”- Nampa-ReutersWednesday’s suicide bombing north of Baghdad which killed at least 70 people, and fighting south of the capital in which more than 40 died, have heightened fears that the conference, set for Saturday in Baghdad, could be targeted by insurgents.Besides bombs, there is a risk that a months-long campaign by insurgents and criminals to kidnap foreigners and senior Iraqis could target delegates.On Wednesday two Pakistani hostages were killed and yesterday a Somali man was seized.The conference, billed as a crucial step in Iraq’s post-war transition ahead of elections in January, will draw around 1 000 delegates from around the country, creating a headache for the thousands of US and Iraqi security forces ready to police it.Pressure has already been put on to delay – the United Nations felt more time was needed to select delegates and ensure the conference was as representative as possible.And after Wednesday’s carnage, security is again a prime concern.But the chairman of the event, Fouad Massoum, is standing firm and his staff reiterated their commitment yesterday.”All Iraqis want this conference to go ahead on time, and if the Iraqi people want it, then how can we say no?” said Sarko Mahmoud, Massoum’s chief of staff.”The security situation in Iraq is such that it has become a part of every Iraqi’s life now – if you postponed everything for security, you’d have to postpone your life as well.”- Nampa-Reuters