In Discord, Iraqis Select Interim Assembly

Delegates protest during conference to choose Iraq's interim assembly. A slate of independent candidates withdrew from the process, calling it unfair. (Hadi Mizban -- AP)

Fouad Masoum, the chairman of the conference, defended the use of slates and blamed the independents and small parties for not building a stronger political coalition. "It was democratic, but the problem was the opposition wasn't united," he said.

Iraqi political leaders contend that having a few large parties dominating the assembly will make it easier to forge coalitions and build consensus. "An assembly full of independents would get nothing accomplished," said a senior Shiite politician.

Zayer contended that the large parties conspired to send low-ranking members to join the list of independent candidates. Shortly before the vote, several members of the independent list dropped out, forcing Zayer and others to scramble to find replacements. When they could not keep their group together, they decided to withdraw.

"We didn't have enough time and we didn't have the means," he said at the conference. "We are making this sacrifice for all the people of Iraq. We would have liked to be in a stronger position and a dignified opposition holding its head up high -- and we will be that in the future."

Even before the withdrawal, the selection process was roiled by disputes. Two Chaldo-Assyrian Christians squabbled over who should represent their small community. A man from a small Muslim sect demanded that he be given a seat. And several delegates from Basra began screaming after they learned that the Iraqi National Union slate had only one member from their city.

"Where are the martyrs?" shouted Esraa Saad, a middle-aged woman whose voice pierced the hall.

"Basra has been marginalized," added another resident. "Its children have been killed. Basra wants more representation. It is the source of oil."

As disorder ensued, the chairman of the session, Walid Shaltagh, sought to restore order. "Ladies and gentlemen, you are the representatives of the Iraqi people," he implored. "What you are asking for is right, but not in this unseemly way . . . not in this chaotic way."

When the Basra delegation learned that it was not getting any more seats, about a dozen members stormed out.