The announcement of the delay came as violence and kidnappings by insurgents seeking to undermine the U.S. occupation and the new Iraqi government continued. On July 28, at least 68 Iraqis died in the town of Baqouba, north of Baghdad, in the deadliest car-bombing since Iraq gained sovereignty in June.

Under pressure from the United Nations, organizers of the conference to select Iraq's interim National Assembly said that they were reluctantly postponing the event, set to begin July 30, for two weeks.

There have been allegations of fraud and violence at a series of regional caucuses to select delegates for the 1,000-person conference.

The national conference is a key element of a plan devised earlier this year by the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority to move Iraq toward free elections and a permanent constitution by next year.

The interim assembly will have the power to approve the 2005 budget and overturn laws passed by the interim Iraqi government.

The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 7, 2004
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