A 13-point statement was issued at the end of the US-sponsored forum that brought Iraqi opposition leaders together yesterday near Nassiriya.
According to the Iraqi National Congress, the meeting agreed the statement but did not vote on it. The following is a slightly edited version.
1. Iraq must be democratic.
2. The future government of Iraq should not be based on communal identity.
3. The future government should be organised as a democratic federal system, but on the basis of countrywide consultation.
4. The rule of law must be paramount.
5. Iraq must be built on respect for diversity, including respect for the role of women.
6. The meeting discussed the role of religion in state and society.
7. The meeting discussed the principle that Iraqis must choose their leaders, not have them imposed from outside.
8. Political violence must be rejected and Iraqis must immediately organise themselves for the task of reconstruction at both the local and national levels.
9. Iraqis and the Coalition must work together to tackle the immediate issues of restoring security and basic services.
10. The Baath party must be dissolved and its effects on society must be eliminated.
11. There should be an open dialogue with all national political groups to bring them into the process.
12. The meeting condemned the looting that has taken place and the destruction of documents.
13. The Iraqi participation in the Nassiriya meeting voted that there should be another meeting in 10 days, in a location to be determined, with additional Iraqi participants to discuss procedures for developing an Iraqi interim authority.
- (Associated Press)